Portrait of McBey's Mother (Early Photographs & Sketches)
Datec.1901
Mediumpencil sketch
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions17.8 x 12.6cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008301.89
About MeThis pencil sketch is of James McBey's mother, Annie Gillespie. She stares intently out of the picture space, which is particularly poignant considering that the artist's mother had become prematurely blind and by this stage could see very little. It is a tragic irony that it was only when McBey began to receive accolades for painting portraits of his family and neighbours that Annie took a positive interest in her illegitimate son, by which time it was too late for her to actually see the products of his prodigious talent. The sketch is rendered gently and subtly, lacking all the hard edges and cross-hatching of that which he made of himself at around the same time (ABDAG008301.84).
Exhibitions
