William McTaggart RSA RSW (British, 1835-1910) At the Fair
William McTaggart RSA RSW (British, 1835-1910)
At the Fair
signed and dated Wm McTaggart/1873' (lower right)
oil on canvas
96 x 76cm (37 13/16 x 29 15/16in).
commenced in 1871 and completed in 1873
Exhibited
Dundee, Dundee Fine Art Exhibition, 1873.
Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1874, no. 342 ('342' is inscribed on the canvas verso and the work is as titled).
McTaggart's early work is often referred to as being based in the Pre-Raphaelite idiom, before developing into the impressionistic landscapes of his later career. The present work was painted during this crucial pivot point. Although the work is figurative, there are hints of McTaggart's new expressive brushwork being explored in the background and girls' clothing.
We know that this work was started during a sketching season in Tarbert in 1871, but not competed until 1873. The accurate dating comes from James Caw's seminal McTaggart biography:
'From correspondence with Mr. Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone in the early months of 1873, it is evident that that gentleman was again thinking of acquiring a picture by McTaggart, but, as before, the negotiations came to nothing. Amongst the pictures mentioned was that of 'Lasses at the Fair,' commenced at Tarbert in 1871 and now practically finished. When shown at the Royal Scottish Academy the following year this charmingly composed picture of three pretty and delightfully contrasted country girls looking at a photograph, evidently just taken, of one of them, was received with greater favour than a good many of its predecessors had been.'
(J. Caw, William McTaggart R.S.A., A Biography and an Appreciation , James Maclehose & Sons, Glasgow 1917, p. 61).
Tarbert Fair has been held since the early 18th Century and is one of the oldest fairs in Scotland. It takes place every year on the last Thursday of July and continues the festivities over the weekend. Originally a cattle fair, it progressively became focussed on amusements and fairground rides.
During the 19th Century, the new art form of photography gave people the ability to capture images in a revolutionary way. Scottish scientists, artists and photographers played a huge part in pioneering this new technology, a medium we now take for granted. The girls portrayed here by McTaggart may be holding a tintype photograph. Tintypes were popular in the 1860s and 1870s. Nicknamed 'gems' because of their shiny surface and small size, these portraits could be posted on a piece of card and became very popular for seaside vacations or days out from the city because they were easily and cheaply produced.
McTaggart captured this moment in time in his own artform. He is celebrating the youth enjoying the latest technology available to them. There is something very relatable to us as a viewer in the 21st century; one can easily imagine the girls holding a smartphone and gazing at a selfie they have just taken.
Bid on this lot
William McTaggart RSA RSW (British, 1835-1910)
At the Fair
signed and dated Wm McTaggart/1873' (lower right)
oil on canvas
96 x 76cm (37 13/16 x 29 15/16in).
commenced in 1871 and completed in 1873
Exhibited
Dundee, Dundee Fine Art Exhibition, 1873.
Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1874, no. 342 ('342' is inscribed on the canvas verso and the work is as titled).
McTaggart's early work is often referred to as being based in the Pre-Raphaelite idiom, before developing into the impressionistic landscapes of his later career. The present work was painted during this crucial pivot point. Although the work is figurative, there are hints of McTaggart's new expressive brushwork being explored in the background and girls' clothing.
We know that this work was started during a sketching season in Tarbert in 1871, but not competed until 1873. The accurate dating comes from James Caw's seminal McTaggart biography:
'From correspondence with Mr. Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone in the early months of 1873, it is evident that that gentleman was again thinking of acquiring a picture by McTaggart, but, as before, the negotiations came to nothing. Amongst the pictures mentioned was that of 'Lasses at the Fair,' commenced at Tarbert in 1871 and now practically finished. When shown at the Royal Scottish Academy the following year this charmingly composed picture of three pretty and delightfully contrasted country girls looking at a photograph, evidently just taken, of one of them, was received with greater favour than a good many of its predecessors had been.'
(J. Caw, William McTaggart R.S.A., A Biography and an Appreciation , James Maclehose & Sons, Glasgow 1917, p. 61).
Tarbert Fair has been held since the early 18th Century and is one of the oldest fairs in Scotland. It takes place every year on the last Thursday of July and continues the festivities over the weekend. Originally a cattle fair, it progressively became focussed on amusements and fairground rides.
During the 19th Century, the new art form of photography gave people the ability to capture images in a revolutionary way. Scottish scientists, artists and photographers played a huge part in pioneering this new technology, a medium we now take for granted. The girls portrayed here by McTaggart may be holding a tintype photograph. Tintypes were popular in the 1860s and 1870s. Nicknamed 'gems' because of their shiny surface and small size, these portraits could be posted on a piece of card and became very popular for seaside vacations or days out from the city because they were easily and cheaply produced.
McTaggart captured this moment in time in his own artform. He is celebrating the youth enjoying the latest technology available to them. There is something very relatable to us as a viewer in the 21st century; one can easily imagine the girls holding a smartphone and gazing at a selfie they have just taken.
