Object Description
Oil painting of a garden scene from ‘The Heart of Midlothian’ by Leslie
English, c. 1830
Canvas: Height 30cm, width 25cm
Frame: Height 38.5cm, width 32.5cm, depth 3cm
This beautiful artwork was painted around 1830 by Charles Robert Leslie (1794-1859), a renowned English painter, especially known for his genre paintings.
The scene portrayed illustrates an event described by Sir Walter Scott in his 1818 novel ‘The Heart of Midlothian’. Scott tells the story of Jeanie Deans who travels to London to persuade Queen Caroline to release her wrongly imprisoned sister. The Duke of Argyll introduces Jeanie to the Queen on the grounds of Richmond Lodge. The Queen is highly impressed with the way Jeanie presents herself and allows for her sister to be released.
The painting in Mayfair Gallery’s collection depicts the scene when Jeanie Deans meets Queen Caroline. Deans is clothed in all black apart from the vivid red headscarf, while the Queen, her companion, and the Duke of Argyll are clothed in fashionable garments made from the best textiles. The light colours of the Queen’s clothing magnificently stand out against the darker tones of the background and highlight her importance in the story.
The wonderfully carved giltwood frame is mounted with a plaque reading ‘INTERVIEW OF QUEEN CAROLINE WITH JEANIE DEANS IN RICHMOND PARK by C.R. LESLIE R.A.’.
Celebrating the works of a renowned artist and writer, this painting tells an interesting story with a deeper meaning.