GEDDES - William Geddes (1840-84)
Last updated | 06/10/2010
Self taught Blairgowrie
painter, bon viveur and bohemian
born Blairgowrie 1841
died Blairgowrie 31 October 1884
EARLY YEARS
William was born in Blairgowrie in 1841 the son
of the local stone mason William Geddes and his wife Agnes
Ross
William would have attended the local school but received no formal
artistic training
William trained as a house painter and decorator having been first
apprenticed to G M Dickson in 1853 at 2/- (10p) per week
William spent some time in Edinburgh close to where his brother was
a merchant in Leith after his apprenticeship finished
William may have taken some art lessons during this time
William exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy annual
exhibition every year from 1865 until 1884 with the exception of
1881
William returned to settle in Blairgowrie in
1871/2
ARTIST, BON VIVEUR AND BOHEMIAN
William worked exclusively in oil paint
William's earliest pictures are portraits and figure
studies
William used his friends and family as models for these works
William was a keen fisherman and developed a reputation in later
life for his paintings of fish
William kept a diary from which we know that he enjoyed drinking
with his friends and playing billiards but was not over fond
of attending church
William's cottage in Blairgowrie became famous for its artistic and
musical gatherings, with several distinguished Edinburgh based
artists amongst his group of friends
William built a fish tank in his garden to keep specimens for
painting, built a studio in the garden as well, and even kept a pet
monkey
William was arrested in Paris in 1871 for sketching. He was
mistaken for a spy
William had a family of 11 children and 2 of his sons followed in
his footsteps, studying at art college
William's eldest son was the well known watercolour painter Ewan
Geddes RSW
William died as a result of complications arising from
catching a chill while out fishing
William died aged only 44
CHECKLIST OF WORKS BY WILLIAM GEDDES IN THE COLLECTION OF PERTH
MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
(It is not possible to show the entire colelction at any one
time. To view any material not on show please
contact the Art Section to make an appointment)
PAINTINGS
The Village Auction, oil on canvas, 1868
Thomas Lamb with Wife and Family on the Lawn at Brewhead House,
Birkhill, oil on canvas, about 1867-9
Portrait of the Artist’s Brother, James Geddes, Merchant
in Leith, oil on canvas laid on board, not dated
The Artist’s Son Tom Playing the Penny Whistle, oil
canvas, about 1871
Unfinished Study of a Seated Boy, oil on board, about 1876
Portrait of The Artist’s Mother, Agnes Geddes, oil on
canvas laid on panel, about 1874
Portrait of The Artist’s Niece, Euphemia Geddes, oil on
canvas laid on panel, about 1870
Problem No.1 – What Makes the Wind?, oil on canvas,
1871
Two Salmon, oil on canvas, 1878
DRAWINGS
Sketchbook Containing Sketches of a Tour to Germany, graphite on
paper, about 1863
May Your Pouch Aye Hae a Coin In’t, A Guid New Year, pen
and ink and wash on card, 1880 or 1881
The Day’s Catch, pen and ink on paper, 1883
RELATED MATERIAL
William Geddes’ Diary for 1880
Portrait Bust of William Geddes, Plaster, 1880 by Thomas Stuart
Burnett (1853-88)
