A treasure from a north-east castle has gone Dutch this week as part of display of the world’s greatest artists.
Although it is normally housed at Fyvie Castle, near Ellon, the life-size Pompeo Batoni portrait of Colonel William Gordon has been transported to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for a three-month event.
The Dutch national museum is honouring Europe’s greatest painters as part of its High Society exhibition which runs until June 3.
The work shows the colonel holding his sword, which he famously threatened to use to quash a revolt in the Houses of Parliament in 1780, and is seen receiving the orb of authority and laurel wreath of victory from the figure of Roma.
David Hopes, head of collections for the National Trust for Scotland which cares for the work, said: “The inclusion of the portrait in such a high-profile exhibition is testament to its quality and importance.
“Batoni was one of the most famous artists of his time and the painting of Colonel Gordon is one of his seminal pieces.
“This isn’t the first time the painting has gone on tour; it’s an ambassador for the National Trust for Scotland, having previously been displayed in Washington DC, Edinburgh and Monza.
“It’s a special piece and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share it with the wider world.”
Temporarily taking the Batoni painting’s place at Fyvie Castle is a picture of Colonel Gordon’s former scullery maid and housekeeper, Isobel ‘Belle’ Black.
Isobel was also his mistress, bearing him a son known as William Gordon of Fyvie, before becoming his wife.
Vikki Duncan, a curator for the National Trust for Scotland, added: “This is the first time we will be displaying the portrait of Isobel Black at Fyvie Castle – we only re-discovered the painting at Mar Lodge last summer.
“It had been in storage for years and we then managed to work out who she was.
“When the portrait of Colonel Gordon returns from Amsterdam, we might look to re-unite the family, displaying them together in one room temporarily in what would be another first for the trust.”
