Lot 155
A PAIR OF SILHOUETTE GROUP PORTRAITS, AUGUSTE AMANT CONSTANT FIDÈLE EDOUART (1789-1861)
DATED 1830
Auction: Day One | Wednesday 19 August from 10am | Lots 1 - 198
Description
cut out silhouettes with pencil and watercolour, depicting Managers of the Orphan Hospital, Edinburgh and The School Room of the Orphan Hospital, Edinburgh, each signed and dated 1830, framed, the frames bearing the names of the managers and staff members (2)
Dimensions
45cm x 72cm
Footnote
Exhibited: Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh Cut and Dried: The Silhouettes of Augustin Edouart and Watercolours of Harry More Gordon, December 2, 2005 – March 26, 2006
Literature: Jackson E.N., Ancestors in Silhouette, John Lane, London, 1921, p.33
In 1727 Edinburgh merchant Andrew Gairdner set up a charitable subscription to raise funds for an orphan institution. The first Orphan Hospital took in 30 orphans in 1733 before a larger purpose-built hospital opened below North Bridge. In 1799 the Orphanage was moved to Leith to escape the industrialisation of the city.