Lot 54: SIR WILLIAM FETTES DOUGLAS (1822-1891) NOCTURNE

SIR WILLIAM FETTES DOUGLAS (1822-1891) NOCTURNE oil on panel, signed 20cm x 15cm Note : Sir William Fettes Douglas was a Scottish painter in the19th century. He began as a hobbyist, while working at a bank. He became a professional painter at the age of 25. His work features, notably, occult and alchemical subjects of which 'NOCTURNE' is a fine and typical example. William pursued this interest in the occult throughout his travels to Italy and to "the East" where he acquired antiquarian objects which were of his fascination. In 1877 he was appointed Director of the National Gallery of Scotland and in 1882 President of the Royal Scottish Academy. His works are displayed at such notable museums as the National Galleries of Scotland, Harvard University Art Museums, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Provenance: Fine Art Society label verso, number 10956, April 1989 Purchased by the present owner at Lyon & Turnbull, lot 14, 26 January 2006 for £2800 hammer price.