John Faed 1820-1902

Purchased from the artist in 1877 by Mr R. M. Brocklebank of Malvern and with him until at least 1894;
Sotheby's, Gleneagles, 31 August 1982, lot 745;
Private collection

London, Royal Academy, 1877, no. 1326;
Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1880, no. 76;
Oldham Art Gallery, Loan Exhibition of Pictures, 1894

Mary McKerrow, The Faeds, A Biography, 1982, p. 33

STRUCTURE: This picture is relined and in very good condition with rich colouring and fine detail throughout. There are areas of very fine craquelure but these are only visible on very close inspection. The picture is clean and ready to hang. UNDER ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT: Under ultra violet light there appears to be retouchings around Reynolds hat but this may be where the artist has altered the shape of the hat. FRAME: Contained in its original exhibition frame.
"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."

John Faed was born at Barley Mill in Kirkcudbright in 1819 and attended Girthon Parish School. His schooling ended abruptly when he was only eleven years old but even by this early age he had taught himself to draw and paint; his first miniature was exhibited when he was ten. Between the ages of eleven and twelve he toured Galloway painting miniatures of various members of the local aristocracy. His portraits of the family of James McKeachie (Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright) demonstrate a remarkable maturity for an artist of sixteen. Soon afterwards Faed was enrolled at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh and began to concentrate on larger portraits and genre paintings rather than miniatures. By 1857 he had become interested in eastern and biblical subjects and the following year he exhibited one of his most famous works The Wappenshaw but it was not until 1861 that he exhibited his first picture at the Royal Academy in London. He moved to London in 1864 and although he was nominated several times for membership of the Royal Academy, he was not accepted as an Associate. His paintings are held in many public galleries around the world, including examples in the Galleries of Glasgow, Bradford, Bury, Wolverhampton and further afield in Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit.

The present painting depicts the painter Joshua Reynolds visiting Oliver Goldsmith who is amusing himself by teaching his pet dog to stand to attention. Goldsmith has been writing the lines of his couplet 'The Traveller';

'By sports like these are all our cares beguiled,
The sports of children satisfy the child.'