Horsburgh, John A, 1835-1924 :[Alexandrina Turnbull] Edin.r May 1880

Seated three-quarter length portrait of the mother of Alexander Turnbull. She is holding a letter addressed to Mrs Turnbull, London, postmarked May 1880 and is wearing a cap, a dress with brocade front and sleeves and lace gloves

Compare the later photographic portrait reproduced as Plate 16 in McCormick, E H. Alexander Turnbull; his life, his circle, his collections. Wellington, ATL, 1974. This work, along with the companion portraits of Alexandrina's husband, Walter Turnbull (G-871-4), and of their oldest daughter, Isabella (G-668) were almost certainly painted from photographs

Painted along with portraits of Walter Turnbull (Rack-388) and Isabella Turnbull (G-668) in Edinburgh during a Turnbull family visit to the United Kingdom. All three portraits were probably painted from photographs. The artist may have been a relation. Alexandrina Turnbull's maiden name was Horsburgh and Walter Turnbull's grandmother's maiden name was Horsburgh.

Frame: in the opinion of the frame conservator, Carolina Izzo, the frame is likely to be hand-made not made from a mould. There are significant differences between this frame and the similar frame on the portrait of Alexandrina's husband, Walter Turnbull (G-871-4)

Other Titles - Edinburgh

Inscriptions: Signed: Horsburgh

Quantity: 1 oil(s).

Physical Description: Oil on canvas, 1180 x 900 mm

Provenance: Alexander Horsburgh Turnbull

Alternative form available: The black and white negative for this portrait shows the painting at an angle. The transparency, however, is photographed straight on.