HE is one of Scotland’s most famous painted figures and now Colonel William Gordon is taking his place among the portrayed elite in Amsterdam, as part of an exhibition which showcases the work of some of the great masters of art.
Normally resident at Fyvie Castle, Ellon, the life-size Pompeo Batoni portrait of Colonel William Gordon (1736-1816) – wearing the uniform of the 105th Regiment of Foot and Huntly Tartan – is currently on show at the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national museum dedicated to art and history.
The Batoni is one of 35 historic paintings of Europe’s rich and powerful from all over the world being displayed at the museum’s High Society exhibition, which runs until June 3.
Painted in Rome during his “grand tour” of Europe in 1766, the portrait depicts William Gordon as a swaggering Scotsman in the guise of a Roman hero – a style preferred by the aristocracy of the time – standing before the ruins of the Colosseum, swathed in toga-like tartan.
The Colonel is holding his sword, which he famously threatened to use to quash a revolt in the Houses of Parliament in 1780, and is seen receiving the orb of authority and laurel wreath of victory from the figure of Roma.
David Hopes, head of collections and interiors (policy) at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The inclusion of the portrait in such a high-profile exhibition is testament to its quality and importance – Batoni was one of the most famous artists of his time and the painting of Colonel Gordon is one of his seminal pieces.
“This isn’t the first time the painting has gone on tour – it’s an ambassador for the National Trust for Scotland, having previously been displayed in Washington D.C., Edinburgh and Monza. It’s a special piece and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share it with the wider world.”
Temporarily taking the Batoni painting’s place at Fyvie Castle is a picture of Colonel Gordon’s former scullery maid, housekeeper and mistress Isobel “Belle” Black who Gordon later married, after she bore him a son, William Gordon of Fyvie.
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