William McTaggart, R.S.A., R.S.W.

J. R. Ovens, Esq.;
Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd

Edinburgh, Dowells, 18 George St., The McTaggart Portfolio, Sale of Watercolours, 23 March 1889, cat. no. 85;
London, The Fine Art Society, William McTaggart Exhibition, 5-24 June 1967, cat. no. 1A.

The Poetical Works of Alan Ramsay with selections from the Scottish Poets before Burns, 1866;
James Caw, William McTaggart R.S.A., 1917 pp. 34, 44 and 267;
Per Kvaerne and William Smith, William McTaggart: Singing Songs of the Scottish Heart, 2007 pp. 58-9

The sheet is sound. The slightly uneven edge of the sheet is visible at the left hand side of the work. On close inspection there are some extremely minor spots of surface dirt. Otherwise the work is in good original condition. Held in a decorative gold painted frame in fair condition. Under glass and unexamined out of 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."

Scottish literature provided inspiration for many artists, including William Taggart who based this watercolour on a poem by Hector MacNeill.  The poem in turn is based on an old Scottish folk song:

"Where ha'e ye been a' day, my boy Tammy?
Where ha'e ye been a' day boy Tammy?
I've been by burn and flowering brae,
Meadows green and mountains grey,
Courting O' this young thing,
Just came frae her mammy,
And where got ye that young thing
My boy Tammie?
I got her down in yonder howe,
Herding ae wee lamb and ewe
For her poor mammy."

McTaggart revisited this subject in 1866 when he painted it in oil, a very popular image which appeared as an illustration, engraved by J. C. Armitage, in The Poetical works of Alan Ramsay with selections from the Scottish poets before Burns.  Interestingly, the oil was traditionally assumed to have been the basis for the engraving however Per Kvaerne identifies that the watercolour was in fact used.