- 816
Robert Scott Lauder, R.S.A. 1803-1869
Description
- Robert Scott Lauder, R.S.A.
- poor louis, the glee maiden, the fair maid of perth
inscribed with the title on an old exhibition label attached to the stretcher
oil on canvas
- 133 by 103 cm., 52½ by 40½ in.
Provenance
J. B. Bennett & Sons, Glasgow;
R. J. Barclay Esq.;
The Fine Art Society, London, April 1972;
Private collection, Milan
Exhibited
London, Royal Academy, 1844, no. 514;
Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1845, no. 19;
Glasgow, Scottish National Exhibition, 1901 and 1911
Literature
Catalogue Note
"Ah, poor Louise! The livelong day
She roams from cot to castle gay;
And still her voice and viol say,
Ah, maids, beware the woodland way -
Think on Louise." Walter Scott.
Louise, is a travelling minstrel from Walter Scott's The Fair Maid of Perth which was published in 1828. She is depicted with her constant companion, a small French spanial and wearing 'the dress of her calling, more guady than rich, and showed the person more than did the garb of other females'. Scott described her dusky good looks thus 'sunny complexion, snow-white teeth, brilliant black eyes, and raven locks, marked her country lying far in the south of France.'