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The lobster fishers

The lobster fishers
 (1899)

Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
98.7 × 105.4 cm
Inscription
inscribed in brown paint l.l.: W McTaggart.
Accession Number
578-2
Department
International Painting
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1913
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Gallery location
Not on display
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Labour, Industry and Machinery Marines and Seascapes
Subjects (specific)
boats fishermen (people) fishing vessels men (male humans) sailing vessels seamen seas
Frame
Original, by Aitken Dott & Son, Edinburgh

Frame

The frame is an interesting example of the frames derived from the Louis XV type.1 It uses a deep outer scotia in the profile and fluid scroll work. The annotation of this label with ‘OWN MAKE’ tells a story of its own. It suggests the framing company might equally sell on, under their label, a frame made elsewhere, but also that they are keen to make the distinction about manufacture.

Note

1 Another frame by this company, based on the Louis XV form, is found on G. P. Chalmers‘ Quartermaster Coull (1200-3).

Framemaker
Aitken Dott & Son

26 So. Castle St., Edinburgh
Date
(1899)
Materials

This large-profile, swept-edge Louis XV revival frame is built on a wooden profile, which would have been machined to shape in long lengths. The leading edge and all the ornamentation are applied composition mouldings. The gilding is burnished along the swept edges but not elsewhere. The narrow flat near the sight edge is sanded. The slip is water gilded.

Condition

The surfaces appear to be original throughout, despite the gilding flaking extensively from the surface of the inner ogee, exposing a strong red bole. There are losses in the composition and some of the applied sections have lifted.

Dimensions
133.0 x 141.5 x 12.5 cm; sight 96.0 x 102.5 cm
More Information
National Portrait Gallery