Middleton Alexander Jameson Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, Italy

An original c.1900s oil painting, Middleton Alexander Jameson, Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, Italy.

This wonderful small gem of a painting shows the ruins of the Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli enshrouded by a profusion of wildflowers. The Scottish artist, Middleton Alexander Jameson (1851–1919), spent time at the French artists' colonies at Grez-sur-Loing and Etaples, as well as working at St Ives in Cornwall on his return. This painting displays the artist's en plein air style and impressionistic handling of light and form. A simple but vivid palette, with searing blue sky and riotous pink blossoms, focuses the scene as much on the colours of nature as on the classical architecture beyond.

Middleton Alexander Jameson (1851–1919)—affectionately called 'Midge' by his family—was born in Edinburgh, the ninth son of Robert William Jameson, a former Writer to the Signet of Edinburgh, a Playwright and Editor, and his wife, Christian Pringle. The most notable of Middleton's siblings was his younger brother, Sir Leander Starr Jameson, the British South African statesman who led the disastrous Jameson Raid into the Transvaal in 1895/6. Leander was later to serve as the tenth Prime Minister of the Cape. A portrait of Leander by Middleton is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

It appears that Middleton Jameson travelled widely, including in Africa, painting a number of African subjects. Prior to this, he lived in Grez-sur-Loing (c.1879–80), the artist colony near Fontainebleau, frequented by Glasgow Boy artists such as Sir John Lavery (1856–1941). Jameson specifically painted alongside fellow Scot Arthur Melville (1855–1904) and the Irish artist Frank O’Meara (1853–1888). In 1881 Jameson's address was in Paris, then in 1887 he spent time at Etaples, Pas de Calais, lodging with Eugene Laurent Vail (1857–1934) and Frank O’Meara. Jameson's work shows the strong influence of this innovative environment, where artists were painting en plein air in an impressionistic style and choosing naturalistic, humble subjects. His paintings include Breton fisherfolk and peasants, very much in affinity with artists such as Jules Bastien-Lepage and Sir James Guthrie.

Jameson returned to the UK, arriving in St Ives around 1889 where he appears to have stayed for a number of years and completed fishing subjects that would have resonated with his time in Brittany. In 1891 his painting Toilers of the Sea was shown at the Royal Academy (now in St Ives Museum), and he exhibited with the Cornish artists at their Whitechapel Exhibition in 1902. Thereafter, Jameson appears to have lived between Glasgow, London and Paris. He exhibited a number of times at both the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists.

Oil on board.

Presented in a contemporary wooden frame with Mutley Framery, Plymouth framer's label verso.

Image: 21 x 25.7cm. Frame: 28.2 x 33.2cm.