One of our unsung local artists is Robert Herdman.
Herdman (1828-1888) was born in Rattray, adjoining Blairgowrie, the son of the minister there. He became a pupil of the great Robert Scott Lauder in Edinburgh before spending time training in Italy. He was duly made a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Watercolour Society (as it is known today).
His work does not come to auction often, and I last reported a major oil in this column in 2001. Perth Art Gallery has a bare handful of his works and Dundee the same.
Best known for large historical dramas, such as his Conference between Mary, Queen of Scots and John Knox at Perth, he also turned out charming ‘chocolate box’ pictures of children and completed a mid-century formal portrait of the Dundee Lord Provost George Rough.
Illustrated is Herdman’s Portrait of Thomas Carlyle, a bust-length pencil, charcoal and red chalk drawing heightened with white on buff paper, which perfectly captures the great Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, historian, mathematician and teacher. Carlyle was considered one of the most important social commentators of his time.
Signed with Herdman’s monogram and inscribed ‘Chelsea 22 Ap. 1875’, the 10in x 13in drawing was a preparatory study for the 1875 painting Thomas Carlyle, which has been with the Scottish National Portrait Gallery since 1912.
The quickly-done sketch of a great Scot by a talented brother Scot appeared at Sworder’s in far-off Essex. How did it get there…who knows?
It carried pre-sale hopes of £1,000-£1,500 into their September 11 auction, and the hammer fell at £1,400.
Picture: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle by Robert Herdman (Sworder’s).
