Portrait of Flora MacDonald

Portrait of Flora MacDonald
Portrait of Flora MacDonald
Portrait of Flora MacDonald
National Portrait Gallery, London
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
Portrait of Flora MacDonald
Date
1747 (undated)
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Metric: 117.4 x 94 cm
Imperial: 46 1/4 x 37 in.
Accession Number
NPG 5848
Wilson Online Reference
P17A
Description
Flora MacDonald is shown dressed in a blue version of a Van Dyck costume, with a tartan bow at her chest. She sits three-quarter-length, full face, before a rocky promontory, as Prince Charles Edward Stuart ('Bonnie Prince Charlie' or 'The Young Pretender') and companions are rowed to safety against the sunset behind to the left. In her folded hands she holds a letter with a prominent seal.
Provenance
Anon sale, Sotheby's 20 November 1985 (42); bt for the National Portrait Gallery by Leggatt Brothers, 17 Duke Street St James's, London SW1Y 6DB
Signature/inscription
Unsigned; no inscription
Subject
Flora MacDonald (1722-1790) was the daughter of a Hebrides farmer who helped Prince Charles Edward Stuart ('Bonnie Prince Charlie') to reach the island of Skye after his defeat by the English forces at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. She was captured by HMS Furnace on the Isle of Skye in July 1746 and was soon transferred to London and imprisoned in the Tower. Released in July 1747, she remained in London for almost a year, enjoying distinguished company through her hostess, Lady Primrose, including that of Frederick, Prince of Wales, in whose circle Wilson had patrons.James Boswell, who introduced her to Samuel Johnson in 1775, characterised her as 'a little woman of a genteel appearance, and uncommonly mild and well bred.'
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Related Works by Other Artists
Thomas Hudson, Flora Macdonald with Miniature of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1747, location unknown
Critical commentary
The present portrait and P17 probably date from the sitter's stay in London in 1747 with Lady Primrose, whom Flora recalled as insisting on her 'sitting to some of the first artists.' The vagueness of the setting, especially of the headland behind the sitter may lead to the supposition that the painting was never finished. Pearls, bow and sealed letter may all allude symbolically to her links with the Young Pretender, while the setting sun - a unique instance of this proto-Romantic phenomenon in Wilson's portraiture - may indicate his fall from power and influence.
Bibliography
D. Saywell & J. Simon, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2004, p. 399; Solkin 1982, p. 146, n. 2
More Information
Wilson's friendship with Flora MacDonald's captor, Thomas Smith and his patrons from the circle of the Prince of Wales, probably account for this commission, rather than any Jacobite sympathies. The patron in this instance remains unknown, though J.W. Croker, in his notes to James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, recorded that, in addition to the half-length presented to another captor, Nigel Gresley [P!7], a second portrait had been given to Smith. In view of Wilson's friendship with the latter such a commission remains a possibility.
Condition/Conservation
In good condition overall, the painting has undergone no major recent conservation. The carved wood frame is later, probably early 19th century. It has been regilded.
Kate Lowry has noted: Pale grey ground, plain weave canvas, turnover edges lost at time of glue-lining. Modern seven member stretcher dates from relining. Face is very well-finished over a dark grey underpaint in typical Wilson style, whilst her lace collar and cuffs and landscape are less finished, possibly even unfinished. Under UV there are minor retouches in the background and sitter's chest, but no major damages or repairs. Upon acquisition the work was surface-cleaned and more recently a small paint flake was consolidated in the sitter's cuff. Otherwise no further treatment has been carried out.