Historical information

John MITCHELL (1837 - 14 July 1926)
Born Woodside, Donside, Scotland

John Mitchell attended evening classes under James Giles in Aberdeen, and was also taught by his uncle the Peterhead artist John Mitchell. After an apprenticeship at a local lithographic company (Keith and Gibb) John Mitchell went to London to study at the Slade under Legros. Returning to Aberdeen he painted many scenes around the city and Aberdeenshire, including Balmoral, under the patronage of Queen Victoria. John Mitchell gave lessons in painting to the Royal Family. His landscapes are highly coloured with dominant blues and purples in the hills and with vivid greens and yellows in the foreground, subtly fused and never garish. He lithographed sketches for John Stewart's 'The Sculptured Stones of Scotland', 2 vols 1856-57, illustrated 'Under Lochnagar' 1894.

His landscapes of Aberdeenshire are highly prized especially in the area in which he lived. His painting in the Mearns is regarded by some as his best work. In 1875 he painted an interior of Culter Castle and its Chapel which was subsequently purchased by the owner and in 1883 showed a portrait of his mother. Lived latterly at 10 Gladstone Place, Queen's Cross, Aberdeen.

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Physical description

Framed watercolour of a Scottish Scene by John Mitchell