Anne Bayne: The Artist's First Wife, dead 1743

Allan Ramsay probably became engaged to Anne Bayne in 1736, shortly before his departure for Italy. He was not to return until late 1738. The fact that Ramsay was prepared to forego seeing his future wife for such a considerable length of time emphasises the great importance he attached to foreign study. Ramsay is thought to have painted this delicate and meticulously observed portrait of his wife shortly after his return to Scotland. Whilst still displaying something of the formality of his earlier portraits, it nevertheless marks a watershed in his career. With its masterful rendering of tone and texture, it shows how Ramsay’s Italian training had enabled him to absorb and apply the lessons of the great Italian masters.

Credit: Purchased 1983