January 23rd saw a group of five committee members: Kevin, Glenn, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary, visit Fife Museum and Art Gallery in Kirkcaldy and the Museum Service’s depository in Glenrothes. We had an opportunity to view the Renaissance painting – Madonna and Child, which now restored forms the focus of a major exhibition in the Kirkcaldy Galleries.
Our connection with this 16th century Italian renaissance work of art on display is that it once hung in Anstruther Town Hall and Fife Council sought our assistance to find out more about this local connection.
The story which we helped to unfold begins with Alexander Woodcock who was born in 1810 in St Andrews. He travelled the world as a Royal Navy surgeon before retiring to Anstruther on half pay. He inherited his uncle’s house in Shore Street and practiced medicine from there. (We found one case where he attended to a young farm servant girl who had been trampled and gored by a cow.)
When Woodcock died in 1885 his obituary noted that “Possessing a strong love of the fine arts and an intense passion for the possession of valuable paintings and pictures” he turned a building he owned (where The Saleroom now is, opposite the old Waid Academy) into a large museum for the storage of his pictures and natural history. We established that Woodcock is buried in Anstruther Easter Churchyard where his mother Janet Ballantyne is also buried.
Woodcock claimed to have paintings by old masters. Others felt he had been taken in by forgers. After his death one such painting was given to Anstruther Town Council and is now in Kirkcaldy Art Galleries. Extensive research on it has established that it is indeed a 16th century Italian masterpiece and is now being attributed by art experts to the Florentine artist Domenico Puligo (1492-1527). The discovery has attracted worldwide attention.
After viewing the remarkable Renaissance Madonna and Child, and enjoying an informative talk by Collections Curator Kirke Kook (see Kevin’s detailed report on Facebook) we travelled on to Glenrothes, where we were shown around the depository by Kirke and Museum’s director Gavin Grant. There is an astonishing variety of paintings and artefacts held there, with enormous leather forge bellows and mill machinery sharing space with artworks, statuary and ancient hoovers.
Of primary interest to us was the Chain of Office of the Provost of the United Burghs
This photo shows Margaret McArthur and Mary (Doig) Thomson being shown the regalia by Kirke. Mary’s relative, Provost David Mitchell, is named there, and Mary recalled helping him to fasten the chain for the Cellardyke Sea Queen ceremony.
Another item of Anstruther interest was the painting of Windsor Castle by Kilrenny-born painter Robert Fowler. Lodging with his uncle and aunt, John and Catherine Brown, Fowler began his career aged 16 in 1866 by drawing on the chimney breast of Cunzie House with graphite pencils. He died in Liverpool in 1926, having exhibited in Paris, London and Munich and was a Fellow of the Royal Academy.
The painting previously hung in Anstruther town Hall, and could be returned there if there was any space still suited to its size. The main hall is now unsuitable due to its frequent use for wedding receptions. However it is hoped that a smaller scale replica will be obtained to hang in the Town Hall.
Windsor Castle, by Robert Fowler, RA. Donated to the municipality of Anstruther by Elizabeth Williamson (Black) Logan.
Our thanks go to Kirke and Gavin for taking the time to give us a fascinating and enjoyable day out.