David Roberts, R.A.

Given by Roberts to William Leighton Leitch in 1838;
His executors sale, Christie's London, 13 March 1884, lot 976, bought Permain;
Sold by Ebenezer Horman, Christie's London, 4 December 1911, lot 136, bought Palser Gallery.

London, Society of British Artists, 1831, no. 260;
Manchester, Royal Manchester Institution, 1831, no. 14.

J. Ballantine, The Life of David Roberts R.A., Edinburgh, 1866, p. 248, no. 57 (in the List of Pictures).

The panel is flat, uncradled and stable. The paint surface is dirty but well preserved. There is only one vertical small split in lower centre measuring 5cm. Otherwise restoration is restricted to some scattered retouchings, concentrated mainly along the lower margin and in the upper left corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Although he left Scotland for London in 1823, Roberts continued to take a great interest in the country of his birth and went back almost every year. He was well versed in architecture from early in his career and campaigned to preserve important remains such as John Knox's house and Roslin Chapel. It is therefore not surprising that he painted this beautiful picture of the courtyard of Falkland Palace in Fife. The castle was acquired by the Scottish Crown in the fourteenth century, and by the early sixteenth century had become the royal palace for James IV and James V, one of only two Renaissance palaces in Scotland. In the mid seventeenth century it was partially destroyed by a fire and fell into ruin, though some restoration was carried out by the Marquess of Bute at the end of the nineteenth century.

Roberts was one of the founder members of the Society of British Artists, which exhibited in Suffolk Street and was its president in 1831, the year this picture was painted.