Lot 242
  • 242

David Roberts R.A. 1796-1864

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Description

  • David Roberts R.A.
  • The Priory of Pluscarden, Morayshire
  • signed l.r.: David Roberts R.A. and inscribed l.l.: Priory of Pluscardine Morayshire Sepr 19th 1848
  • watercolour over pencil heightened with white

Provenance

Acquired from James Mathews, 1960

Exhibited

London, Barbican Art Gallery, David Roberts, 6th November 1986 - 4th January 1987, 1988, no.33

Literature

Helen Guiterman & Briony Llewellyn, David Roberts, 1986, p.100, no.33

Catalogue Note

After settling in London, Roberts regularly returned to his native Scotland, and travelled extensively, sketching buildings and views.  The priory of Pluscarden is set in glorious sweeping countryside.  At the time of Roberts' watercolour, it had been abandoned since the late sixteenth century.  In 1897, however, it was bought the by 3rd Marquis of Bute, whose son gave it to the Benedictine abbey of Prinknash in 1943.  A community of Benedictines settled at Pluscarden in 1948 and the church has since been re-roofed and glazed.