Painted in watercolour by the well known artist Joseph Denovan Adam (1841-1896) it depicts Highland calves curiously examining an abandoned parasol. Adam was a highly regarded painter of Highland cattle, and he lived at Craigmill House between 1887 and 1895, where he ran a Country Atelier - a school of animal painting. The school attracted numerous art students at that time, including Edith Holden, who later became famous for her Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.

Adam kept live animal models for his students to paint, including Highland cattle, sheep, donkeys, geese and other fowl. Other facilities included a glass-sided studio in the field opposite Craigmill House and tennis courts for recreation. These can be seen in the background of the painting, in addition to small wooden byres where some of the animals were kept.

The painting is a valuable record of Stirling's cultural history, and captures a moment in time when Stirling was a major centre for the study of art.
It was purchased with the assistance of the National Fund for Acquisitions, Cambuskenneth Community Council and the Friends of the Smith.

For further information, please contact Maria Devaney
Telephone: 01786 471917
Fax: 01786 449523
E-mail: maria@smithartgallery.demon.co.uk.

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