Mrs Scott Moncrieff
John’s connection with art goes beyond his personal creativity, as some of his ancestors are subjects of well known paintings. John’s Great-Great Grand Aunt is one such noteworthy individual, being the subject of the famous portrait titled “Mrs Scott Moncrieff”, by Sir Henry Raeburn and currently held by the National Galleries of Scotland.
Born Margarita MacDonald in the 1780s, Margarita met Edinburgh wine-merchant, Robert Scott Moncrieff at around the turn of the century. The pair fell in love and soon married. Robert, born in 1775, was the younger brother of John’s Great-Great Grandfather, William Scott Moncrieff who was born in 1767.
Henry Raeburn painted his oil on canvas portrait of Margarita in about 1814 and she only had a decade to appreciate the masterpiece because 10 years later in 1824, Margarita died leaving her husband, Robert, heartbroken. Robert lived another 30 years until 1854 and during that time he kept her portrait permanently in pride of place in his dining-room, and refused to remarry.
Margarita and Robert never had children so upon his death in 1854, Robert bequeathed the painting of his beloved wife to the RSA (The Royal Society of Arts). Today the portrait of John’s Great-Great Grand Aunt Margarita can be seen hanging proudly on the walls of the National Galleries of Scotland.
Above Images:
Left: “Margaritta MacDonald, Mrs Robert Scott Moncrieff” by Sir Henry Raeburn (1924) Credit: The National Galleries of Scotland
Right: “Self Portriat” by John Nicoll (1950)