Enamelled Plaque:Mother

Artist James Cromar Watt (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1862 - 1940)

Datec. 1898

Object NamePanel

Mediumenamel, copper

ClassificationsApplied Art

DimensionsOverall: Height: 9.8 cm, Width: 6.1 cm
Frame: Height: 14.2 cm

AcquisitionJames Cromar Watt Bequest, 1941.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG008636

Keywords

About MeThis finely worked portrait is of the artist's mother, Ann Hardy, a schoolteacher. This is the earliest portrait plaque by Watt in the collection, dating to 1898, as identified by the roman numerals in the parapet.

It is a rather formal portrait with a bust length depiction of the sitter, in profile. She appears against backdrop of structured roses which have been executed in translucent enamel. Watt has used a technique called grisaille for the face, a method of painting layers of translucent enamels with subtle changes in colour, greys and whites, which give a variation in light and shade. The result is almost photographic.

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So rich and finely detailed, you'd think this was some sort of surreal photography collage.