James Cromar Watt was an architect, designer, jeweller and enameller who dedicated his life to the promotion of the arts in the North East of Scotland.

In this portrait, we can see the artist's progression with enameling and the development of his chosen subject matter, in this case female sitters. This rare example of his early portraiture enhances the gallery's large and significant collection of enamel work and jewellery by Watt which demonstrates his superb craftsmanship. The Art Fund helped the gallery acquire a turquoise and enamel necklace in 2006, an excellent example of Watt's jewellery.

Provenance

Tandema Gallery, London; Kenneth Reed, 1980s.


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