Where can I see The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828)?

The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828) is held by National Galleries Scotland.

What movement is The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828)?

The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828) is associated with British Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828)?

Museum-quality prints of The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828)

Andrew Geddes , 1813

The Artist's Mother (Agnes Boyd, Mrs David Geddes, 1760 / 1761 - 1828) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Andrew Geddes. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Andrew Geddes’ 1813 oil portrait presents Agnes Boyd, the mother of the artist, seated in a dark, formal dress with a modest head covering.

Andrew Geddes’ 1813 oil portrait presents Agnes Boyd, the mother of the artist, seated in a dark, formal dress with a modest head covering. She looks straight ahead, her face illuminated against a shadowed backdrop, creating a clear separation between figure and surroundings. The composition conveys a restrained dignity, emphasizing the sitter’s presence through subtle contrasts of light and dark.

Subject & Meaning

The work records the likeness of Agnes Boyd (c.1760‑1828), known in records as Mrs. David Geddes, the mother of the painter. By portraying her with a solemn expression and direct gaze, Geddes underscores familial respect and the personal significance of the sitter, offering a glimpse into early‑19th‑century domestic reverence.

Technique & Style

Geddes employs chiaroscuro, allowing the light to fall on the sitter’s facial features while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. This handling of illumination gives the portrait a three‑dimensional quality and highlights the texture of the dark fabric. The brushwork remains restrained, focusing on fine detail in the clothing and the nuanced modeling of the face.

History & Provenance

The portrait was completed in 1813 and has remained in Scotland, entering the collection of the Scottish National Gallery. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving works by native artists of the period, and it continues to be displayed as part of the gallery’s representation of early nineteenth‑century portraiture.