LADY TREDEGAR (BRITISH, 1867-1949)

 

Lady Katharine Agnes Blanche Carnegie, Viscountess Tredegar (British, 1867-1949)

Signed 'Katharine Tredegar' lower right

'' Rosa, a King Charles Spaniel ''

Oil on board

18 x 16 in (45 x 40 cm) framed approx

Provenance: Bardmony House, Perth

A very fine oil and watercolour portrait of a King Charles spaniel, painted by a talented and eccentric peer, with wonderful Aristocratic provenance

 

Inscription verso reads '' Rosa, King Charles, belonged to Countess of Southesk (Susan) painted by Katharine Carnegie (Viscountess Tredegar). Rosa was always looked after by Mr Burton, ''Baba'' ''

 

The Countess of Southesk was Katharine's mother who lived at Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Scotland, which has been the family seat of the Carnegie family for over 600 years. Further inscriptions tell us the the picture was painted around 1899 and that it was given to H.T.C (presumably a Carnegie) by K.T (Katharine Tredegar) in 1932

 

The painting comes from the recent clearance of Bardmony House in Perthshire, which dates back to the 15th century and was owned by the Napier family, descended from Sir Charles Napier, whose 60 years in the Royal Navy included service in the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars. The family has connections through marriage to the Earls of Mansfield, whose family seat is Scone Palace, also in Perthshire, which may explain the chalk inscription 'Lady Mansfield' verso

 

This wonderful painting has been adorning Aristocratic walls for over a hundred years, its excellent condition a testament to its quality and historical importance. This very special animal portrait is presented in its original oak frame and is ready to hang

Artist Information:

Lady Katharine Agnes Blanche Carnegie was born at Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Scotland in 1867, the daughter of James Carnegie, 9th Earl of Southesk and Lady Susan Catherine Mary Murray, eldest daughter of Alexander, Earl of Dunmore

In 1890 Katharine married Courtenay Morgan, later 1st Viscount Tredegar. Family life in Wales did not suit Katharine and so she spent much of her time in London, mixing in artistic circles

Many literary and society figures have sung Katharine's praises in memoirs and diaries, including Aldous Huxley, Allan Pryce Jones, Cecil Roberts and Frances Steveson

Katharine was twice painted by Augustus John RA and also by the society artist Ambrose McEvoy  - one John portrait is at the Carnegie family home of Kinnaird Castle, the other John and the McEvoy are at Tredegar House, Newport, South Wales, which is currently managed by the National Trust

Always an eccentric character, Katharine herself wrote and painted, with one published book 'The Crimson Ducks' which she also illustrated