Westburn

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Datec.1827

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 76 cm, Width: 152.1 cm
Frame: Height: 112 cm, Width: 188.2 cm

AcquisitionBequeathed in 1929 by D M A Chalmers.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003204

Keywords

About MeWestburn House was the family residence of David Chalmers, a relative of Margaret Chalmers, the artist's mother. Westburn is a composite scene of Aberdeen, showing the house set in its parklands, with a vista to the sea and the major landmarks of St Machar's Cathedral and Marischal College in improbable positions in the background.

In his later career, Dyce painted few pure landscapes, since the landscape setting, although of importance, was normally secondary to the figures and narrative content. Westburn is likely to have been an early work and to have been commissioned by David Chalmers, to celebrate the building of his new, presitigous, residence.

This painting has classical, Italianate aspects, such as the trees framing the composition, the wide prospect and a conservative, restrained palette.