David Downie

Name: David Downie
SKU: ASOOP-141-LEGAL--228787
Price: 75 AUD
Availability: InStock

Artist:

John Kay (1742 - 1826)

$A 75

Portrait of David Downie tried and convicted of treason. Downie and Robert Watt were principals in the Scottish Conspiracy, and were convicted of the crime of high treason. Their trial brought to light the particulars of the plot, to overthrow … Read Full Description

Add to Cart

In stock

S/N: ASOOP-141-LEGAL–228787

(DRW004)

Categories: Legal

Within Australia

All orders free shipping

Rest of the World

Orders over A$300 ship free worldwide

Details

Full Title:

David Downie

Date:

C1794

(1842)

Artist:

John Kay (1742 - 1826)

Condition:

In good condition

Technique:

Etching

Image Size:

83mm

x 125mm

Genuine antique
dated:

1842

Description:

Portrait of David Downie tried and convicted of treason.

Downie and Robert Watt were principals in the Scottish Conspiracy, and were convicted of the crime of high treason. Their trial brought to light the particulars of the plot, to overthrow the constitution of Great Britain.

David Downie, was tried at the session of Oyer and Terminer, at Edinburgh, August 27, September 3d, and September 5th, 1794. At which they were both found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, on the 15th October.

Kay etched and sold his caricature portraits individually from 1784 until the 1820’s. These individually issued etchings were collected over many years by Hugh Paton and issued as, A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay.

John Kay (1742 - 1826)

Kay was a Scottish caricaturist and engraver. He was born near Dalkeith, where his father was a mason. At thirteen he was apprenticed to a barber, whom he served for six years. He then went to Edinburgh, where in 1771 he obtained the freedom of the city by joining the corporation of barber-surgeons. In 1784 he published his first caricature, of Laird Robertson. In 1785, induced by the favour which greeted certain attempts of his to etch in aquafortis, he took down his barber's pole and opened a small print shop in Parliament Close. There he continued to flourish, painting miniatures, and publishing at short intervals his sketches and caricatures of local celebrities and oddities, who abounded at that period in Edinburgh society. Kay's famous shop on the Royal Mile was destroyed during the Great Edinburgh Fire of November 1824.

View other items by John Kay