Brewster and Friends (Marquis of Breadalbane, Sir David Brewster, Rev. Dr. David Welsh, James Hamilton and Alexander Earle Monteith)
Artist
Hill & Adamson
(Scottish, 1843 - 1848)
Collaborator
David Octavius Hill
(Scottish, 1802-1870)
Collaborator
Robert Adamson
(Scottish, 1821-1848)
CultureScottish
Dateca. 1843 - 1847
MediumCalotype
Dimensions5 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (14 × 19.1 cm)
InscribedAnnotations below the image in graphite identify the sitters: Breadalbain, Sir David Brewster, Rr. Welsh, Earle Monteith/ (A.P).
Credit LineGift of Susan and Paul Hirschbiel
Object number2019.19.9
DescriptionThis is a photograph that depicts five men sitting around a table. Breadalbane, a supporter of the Free Church of Scotland, is seated, holding a cane in his right hand, and resting his left elbow on the table edge. Depicted next is Brewster, the physicist, calotypist, principal of United College, St. Andrews, and the vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University who had introduced Hill to Adamson. Welsh, a professor at both Edinburgh University and New College in Edinburgh, Moderator of the Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1843, read the Protest and headed the walk-out that led to the church division. Monteith, the Sheriff of Fife, and leading Free Churchman and elder, is seated, wearing light pants and shirt, and dark jacket, both arms outstretched and resting on table top.
ProvenanceRobert Hershkowitz (dealer); purchased by Susan and Paul Hirschbiel, 4/28/1999; gifted to the Chrysler Museum of Art, 2019.
