ARTWORKS

James Porteous of Alva (1838–1932)

Henry Wright Kerr (1857–1936)

Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service

James Porteous of Alva (1838–1932)

Image credit: Clackmannanshire Council

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Notes

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Kerr is best known for his sympathetic portraits of elderly and characterful gentlemen, including this painting of James Porteous (1839–1932), owner of James Porteous & Co. Ltd, a weaving mill in Alva, the management of which he took over at the age of only 15 and expanded it considerably. He was still a director of the company when he died. In 1868 he joined the Stirlingshire Rifles, which eventually became part of the 7th Volunteer Battalion of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He is shown in the uniform of colonel, to which rank he was promoted in 1891. He retired in 1897. The portrait was exhibited in 1920, although it may have been painted earlier, since the sitter looks somewhat younger than 81, which is the age he would have been in that year.

Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service

Alloa

Title

James Porteous of Alva (1838–1932)

Date

c.1910

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 101.5 x W 76.3 cm

Accession number

902 194

Acquisition method

donated

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

H. Kerr

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Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service

Mar Street Building, 15 Mar Street, Alloa, Clackmannanshire FK10 1HR Scotland

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Artist or maker

Henry Wright Kerr

1857–1936

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