Lord John Drummond - a reconstruction of his tartan

**figheadair** · 18th April 12, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Wow, Peter, I'm happy that you got Dalgliesh to do the herringbone selvage. Did they give you any trouble over that?

Surprisingly no! It does help to know what one is taking about and having a good working relationship with them. There was a small surcharge that I passed on and it was not too taxing insofar as I stated the number, 10 ends x 6 bands which is a traditional size. He had some trouble with that so I accepted his compromise of 12 x 6.

In the past they have done me offset cloth but I've had to lay out the whole warp to the exact end. I'm not too sure how they'd react to an offset piece with a herringbone! Actually it's not difficult if you know what you're doing but it's not the commercial norm as you'll appreciate.

**figheadair** · 18th April 12, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Probably my eye and with the greatest respect, but I don't think your client's version is even close (perhaps that was the deliberate intention and it wasn't absolute replication that was sought?). The thin, light stripes in the original painting are considerably more subtle. I think your interpretation is better and I agree a dull yellow would have helped to tone it down. Thanks for showing us this. Very interesting stuff.

Oh I have to agree. One can take a horse to water.....!

The original (my interpretation, is to my eyes so much nicer and much more likely what it would have looked like. Thee's no accounting.........

**creagdhubh** · 18th April 12, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by SlackerDrummer

Mine, too.

What he said.

I couldn't agree more! Beautiful portrait by the way, an idea who the artist was?

Cheers,

**figheadair** · 18th April 12, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I couldn't agree more! Beautiful portrait by the way, an idea who the artist was?

Cheers,

The portrait is attributed to Domenico Dupra who is known to have painted and/or copied portraits of a number of Jacobite leaders.

**creagdhubh** · 18th April 12, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

The portrait is attributed to Domenico Dupra who is known to have painted and/or copied portraits of a number of Jacobite leaders.

Yes, I know Dupra's work very well, I should have known! Thanks, Peter.

Cheers,

**Orvis** · 19th April 12, 02:18 PM

Thanks for showing that tartan and the portrait! I also agree with your interpretation of soft yellow versus that bright white stripe. I would imagine that the Italian artist painted Drummond while the latter was in post-Culloden self-exile in Rome. Again, another portrait of a Highland nobleman wearing red-based tartan to display social status.

That herringbone selvedge and my pending tax refund has got me thinking...

**Sir William** · 21st April 12, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

The original (my interpretation, is to my eyes so much nicer and much more likely what it would have looked like. Thee's no accounting.........

Another vote for your interpretation. I'm familiar with the portrait of Lord Drummond (though I've never seen the original) from doing research into the Royal Ecossais, but don't quite see the "recreation" as being what he is painted wearing. The width of the white stripes appears too wide - but that could be me.