Museum Objects Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Fine Art Collection |
Culture |
Scottish |
School |
Inverclyde |
Catalogue Number |
1977.957 |
Creator |
MacBeth, Norman (1821-1888) |
Role |
Artist |
Title |
A Portion of Old Greenock, James Weir's property, No.20-22 West Blackhall Street in 1845 |
Date |
19th century |
Object Name |
Painting, Oil |
Description |
Oil painting on board entitled 'A Portion of Old Greenock, James Weir's property, No.20-22 West Blackhall Street in 1845' by Norman MacBeth (1821 Port Glasgow - 1888 London). Initialled 'N MB' at the lower right by the artist. Undated. The work shows an urban scene in West Blackhall Street, Greenock in 1845 with a a row of buildings with the street in the foreground with figures, man pulling cart on right. Tall smoking chimney in the background. This painting was used as the basis for a lithograph illustration for George Williamson's reminscences of Old Greenock published in 1891. In the book the illustration is accompanied by a text which reads: 'Half a century divides us from the West Blackhall Street of to-day and that represented by the accompanying illustration. The vista backwards is not too long for some of us to traverse, yet it is more than sufficient to accentuate the transitoriness of life, and the incessant change inseparable from mundane affairs. Elder Greenockians will recollect the house and joiner's workshop of Mr. James Weir, as given in the picture. The premises have been transformed, and are now occupied by Mr. Ivie Scott and others. It is only a few years since Mr. Weir, who was a native of Greenock, passed away, and he is still well and kindly remembered in town. Throughout his long life of fourscore years he exhibited a character whose outstanding features were those of kindliness, industry, and individuality. We can see him yet on business bent, as with elastic step he made his way by lane and street, with purpose-looking gait, his joiner's apron tucked to his side, a hammer suspended therefrom, and glass and putty in hand. Mr. James Weir was an enthusiastic collector of old coins and other antiquities. Opposite Mr. Weir's workshop were the extensive sugar stores of Messrs. Gray & Buchanan, forming the northwest corner of Argyll Street and West Blackhall Street. It may be remembered that the hogsheads and other sugar packages were hoisted into the lofts by means of horse haulage, and, in order to reach the higher portions of the warehouse, it was necessary for the horses to entirely cross the street. This system of hoistage was common in other parts of the town, but latterly became intolerable in busy thoroughfares, such as West Blackhall Street. The obnoxious practice has been superseded by the adoption of excellent hydraulic hoists, now in almost universal use. Some twenty years ago Messrs. Gray & Buchanan disposed of their West Blackhall Street warehouse to Mr. Thomas Suttie, then of Greenock, but now of Auckland, who had it converted into a fine block of shops and offices. It is worthy of note that Mr. John Gray, the senior partner of the firm of Gray & Roxburgh, was a gentleman of exquisite taste, and that, as a member of Council, to him belongs the honour of having designed the walks in our beautiful Greenock Cemetery, the acquisition of which was mainly due to his far-seeing initiative. His son, Mr. Hugh Gray, is now living at Helensburgh.' |
Dimensions |
H-17.5 W-25 cm |
Material |
Wood/Paper/Oil Paint/Glass |
Medium |
Oil on board |
Technique |
Oil painting |
Signature Location |
lower right |
Signed Name |
N. MB |
Acquisition |
Purchase 1902 |
People |
MacBeth, Norman, 1821-1888, artist |
Bibiographic Ref. |
1891: Views and Reminiscences of Old Greenock Plate published by James McKelvie and Sons, Lithographers and Bookbinders, Greenock in April 1891. Plate XXVIII 1928: Catalogue of Pictures in the McLean Museum published by publiched by McLean Museum as no.41. 1933: Typed catalogue of pictures by Thomas Thomson no.79.the McLean Museum, Greenock in 1928. Listed as no.41. 1933: Watt Library 150th Anniversary Exhibition Catalogue published by the Watt Library, Greenock 1933. Listed as no.16. 2014: Recorded and illustrated in Oil Paintings in Public Ownership in Strathclyde (published by the Public Catalogue Foundation 2014) ISBN 978-1-909475-26-7 Section on paintings in the McLean Museum and Art Gallery page 82. |
Search Terms |
West Blackhall Street, Greenock |