James William Giles (1801-1870) was a renowned Scottish landscape painter. His works were highly regarded and purchased by Queen Victoria and the Scottish aristocracy. He was also a member of the Royal Scottish Academy. Born in Glasgow to a designer in a local cotton mill, the family moved to Aberdeen, where Giles' father worked in a print shop. After his early death, Giles had to find his own way at a young age. At 13, he began supporting his family through painting and was giving private lessons in Aberdeen before he was 20. At 21 he married the widow Clementina Farquharson and subsequently traveled Scotland and continental Europe.
Upon his return, he settled in Glasgow and became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and the Spalding Club. His career brought him prestige and modest wealth. Giles was an exceptionally versatile artist. In addition to his work as a landscape and portrait painter, he contributed to the design of Aberdeen as a town planner and landscape architect. His close friendship with George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen and then British Prime Minister, was of great importance. He designed the Earl's gardens and grounds at Haddo House in Aberdeenshire and painted the old Balmoral Castle. Queen Victoria was so impressed with this painting that she leased and eventually purchased the castle to make it her Scottish residence. In later years, Giles received several commissions for the royal family. Another notable work by Giles is his posthumously published Drawings of the Castles of Aberdeenshire, a series of about ninety watercolor sketches done between 1838 and 1855. They are brilliantly executed and offer a wonderful insight into the ancient Scottish buildings.
While his early successes were in portraiture, it was his time in Italy that instilled in him a deep love of classical landscape painting. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Scottish Academy and was also represented at the British Institution in London and the Royal Academy. His last work was an unfinished self-portrait of himself, his wife, and his youngest son. Although Giles was considered one of Aberdeen's most important artists during his lifetime, he was often overlooked in later studies of Scottish art because he spent most of his career in Aberdeen rather than London. Despite this challenge, Giles left a remarkable artistic legacy that can still be seen in many of his works today.
×
Passionate Customer Service
_1837_-_(MeisterDrucke-313092).jpg "The Cottesmore Prize Heifer, after Henry Strafford, 1837 by James Giles")
_1837_-_(MeisterDrucke-313092).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1210025).jpg "Lochnagar Looking up Glen Gelder by James Giles")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1210025).jpg)
.jpg "Balmoral Castle, c.1840 by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Monymusk House, 1848 by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Gight Castle, 1851 by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Upper Boddam Castle, 1840 by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Hill Town in Italy by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Worcester teapot and cover, c.1770 by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "The Staircase in Fyvie Castle by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Colqhouny Castle, 1841 by James Giles")
.jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1132676).jpg "The Blasted Oak by James Giles")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1132676).jpg)
.jpg "Tillycairn Castle, 1840s by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Worcester Teapot and Cover by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Braemar Castle by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Haddo House, 1840s by James Giles")
.jpg)
.jpg "Highland Felicity, Ben Lebrig in the Background by James Giles")
.jpg)
+43 4257 29415
support@meisterdrucke.com
Mo-Do: 7:00 - 16:00 | Fr: 7:00 - 13:00
