Mylne, J ., fl 1807

This 218 page scrap book was gathered together in the mid-late nineteenth century, probably by J Mylne, as his bookplate is on the cover and his school drawings of 1854 are included, as are later sketches and watercolours signed by him.

The drawings and paintings are mainly glued into the book, although some are actually drawn directly onto the pages. Some of the works are dated, the earliest being 1807 and the latest 1864 . The letter on pg. 64, dated February 1880, shows that the book had gone into the hands of Mr James Robb of The Royal Bank of Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, and his bookplate also appears on the inside cover. The letter also makes reference to "scapbooks", suggesting that this was one of a collection.

Not all the pieces are signed, many are initialled at the side of the sketch and there are also annotations obviously added at a later date. The book has work attributed to over 20 artists, as well as many anonymous works. Artists who are attributed work include John Wilson Ewbank (1), J. Finnie (1), Rev. John Thomson of Duddingston (1), Archibald Alison (1), I.M. Donald (14) and G. Huntly Gordon (1), with 2 others attributed. (Numbers in brackets are the number of artworks attributed to that artist.)

Other named artists attributed work in the scrap book -

John Crawford Brown, 1805-1867, born in Glasgow, Scotland, painted rural scenes and incidents. Worked in Holland, Flanders and Spain in the late 1830s. Signs himself JC Brown in the book. (5)

Robert Maxwell Cooper, c.1805-1867, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, died London. A landscape and figurative painter in oil who worked for a time in Glasgow. Exhibited at the Royal Society of Arts throughout the 1840s. Employed as a scene painter with Grieve & Wilsons and by Tellein. His last work was on scenery at the Windsor Castle theatre. Signs himself RMC or RM Cooper in the book. (19)

W Gordon, fl.1834-1861. Painter in oil of landscape and topographical subjects. Lived in Edinburgh before moving to Leith, Scotland. Exhibited RSA 1834-1841 . (4)

Andrew MacLure, fl.1857-1882, Scottish landscape painter. Moved to London at an early age and stayed there for the rest of his career. Exhibited six works at the Royal Acedemy, all coastal and figurative. (2)

Willaim D K Mason, fl.1835-1855. Edinburgh topographical artist who often painted castles. Exhibited RSA (21), including Scene on the Marquis of Lothian's Grounds, Newbattle, 1846. Signs himself WDKM and WD Mason in book. (8)

For further biographical details see The Dictionary of Scottish Art and Architecture by Peter J.M. McEwen.

From the guide to the Artist's scrapbook belonging to J Mylne (artist : fl.1807), 1807-1864, (The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections Centre)