| Description Of Item | This bust of James Warburton Begbie (1826-1876) was given to the College by Sir W H Gibson Carmichael, Bart. in 1878, around two years after Begbie's death.
The marble bust is the work of the highly regarded Scottish sculptor Sir John Steell (1804-1891). Steell's work is characterised by his fusion of classical and contemporary elements with subjects, like Begbie, usually wearing contemporary garments. However, it has been argued that the fall of the sitters' clothes in works by Steell recalls the fall of classically draped garments, thus Begbie's bust provides an interesting comparison with the neo-classical style busts in the College's collection.
In addition this bust the College's collection also contains a portrait of Begbie by an unknown artist.
Artist: Steell, Sir John |