Allan Ramsay

myminifactory

The renowned Scottish portrait painter Allan Ramsay (1713-1784) embarked upon a pivotal journey to Italy, driven by the pursuit of professional advancement. Leaving behind his betrothed, Anne Bayne, he devoted two years to honing his craft in Florence and Rome, laying the groundwork for future success that would eventually allow him to return to Scotland for personal reasons. In 1754-6, Ramsay resided in Rome with his second wife, Margaret Lindsay, immersing himself in artistic and antiquarian pursuits. Two subsequent visits were made in old age, primarily to alleviate his faltering health and revisit the sites that had inspired ancient genius and learning. Foye's portrait bust, crafted during Ramsay's third visit, vividly reflects his growing fascination with history: with cropped hair and a toga draped over his shoulders, the artist has been transformed from an eighteenth-century Scot into a citizen of ancient Rome. Like many Enlightenment thinkers, Ramsay was captivated by the classical past and undertook four extensive sojourns in Italy. This bust was sculpted during the artist's third Italian stay. Appropriately, Foye depicts Ramsay draped as if wearing a toga, like an ancient Roman senator. The face is realistically observed, revealing an aging man. By this time, Ramsay was beset by poor health; in 1773 he had dislocated his shoulder after falling from a ladder and was no longer able to paint. He made his final visit to Italy in 1782 and passed away in Dover on his way home.