Lot 11: John Medina (British, 1721-1796) Full-length portrait of Andrew Gairdner in brown coat 218 x 199 cm. (85 13/16 x 78 3/8 in.)

Full-length portrait of Andrew Gairdner in brown coat
signed 'J Medina Pinx' (lower right); bears extensive dedication and date 1775 (lower left)
oil on canvas
218 x 199 cm. (85 13/16 x 78 3/8 in.)

Footnotes

• Literature
  P. McEwan, Dictionary of Scottish Art, Woodbridge, 1994, p.398.
  'One interesting feature (of the present picture), noted by Irwin, is that a building related to the sitter's interests is shown through an open window, behind the seated figure.' (ibid)
  
  Gairdner, an Edinburgh merchant, was the originator of the Orphan Hospital, and Treasurer of the Trinity Hospital 1733-1739. He founded the institution due to his concern at the number of orphaned and destitute children in the city. The first Board of Governors read as a 'Who's Who' of the capital, and included the Principal of the University, Lord Advocate of Scotland, Lord Provost and Keeper of the Signet.