STORNOWAY LANDSCAPE PAINTNGS

Village of Stornoway (c. 1798) by James Barret

"The Village of Stornaway with a shooting Lodge, on the Isle of Lewes" (1798) by James Barret

Stornoway Harbour by John Maclean

The National Galleries of Scotland are proud to be unveiling a new acquisition for the first time at Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. The painting entitled, A view of the Village of Stornoway (1798) by James Barret was bought by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery at auction last year and has subsequently been restored in the National Galleries’ conservation studios.

When the painting appeared in the saleroom the location depicted was uncertain. With help from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the Portrait Gallery staff confirmed that the view was Stornoway and proved that it and its companion, The Village of Stornaway with a shooting Lodge, on the Isle of Lewes were the earliest known oil paintings that depict the landscape of the Western Isles.

James Holloway, Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery commented, “It is very fitting that the first time this fascinating painting of 18th century Stornoway has ever been shown to the public, will be on the walls of Museum nan Eilean in Stornoway itself.”

Malcolm J Graham, Chairman of Arts and Leisure, Comhairle nan Eilean, "Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Museum nan Eilean are delighted to host this joint exhibition which enables locals and visitors to enjoy these important paintings which give us a vivid sense of what old Stornoway looked like in the late 18th-Century."

Richard Langhorne, Curator, Museum nan Eilean said, "We are delighted that the Scottish National Portrait Gallery should have chosen to unveil their recently acquired view of Stornoway painted by James Barret at Museum nan Eilean. This painter has provided us with the earliest known views of the town and this unveiling has provided us with the opportunity to display at the same time a companion piece by the same artist. For this we are enormously grateful to Mr Chris Sheppard of the Aline Estate for allowing us to borrow it."

James Barret (1785 - 1819) inherited his talent from his father. He was the son of the artist George Barret and took over from him as Master Painter at Chelsea Hospital, London. He painted watercolours and oils and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1785 to 1819. As well as Stornoway, his highland views include Loch Lomond, Aviemore and Balnagowan.

After 1745, the government decided to devote more resources to improving economic conditions in the Highlands and Islands. Stornoway with its natural sheltered harbour was developed as the most important port in the northwest. A view of the Village of Stornoway is thought to have been exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1798. It shows the newly built port with its fleet of herring busses as a thriving concern. The picture presents a view of the inner harbour looking eastwards across the bay. A lone clipper ship can be seen in the distance.

The other painting, also on show at Museum nan Eilean, The Village of Stornaway with a shooting Lodge, on the Isle of Lewes, has kindly been lent from Christopher Sheppard of Aline Estate. This picture shows the harbour at sunset from Gallows Hill. The topography of the bay can be surveyed to good effect from here. A window, through which we can see late 18th century Stornoway, described by a visitor as a settlement that was ‘daily increasing’.
 

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