John Hutchison

John Hutchison (1 June 1832 – 23 May 1910) was a Scottish sculptor based in Edinburgh. He was the son of an unnamed builder, and his artistic life began as a thirteen-year-old woodcarving apprentice. He attended art school in the evenings, then later became a student at the Trustees Academy and attracted the patronage of its owner, Patrick Allan Fraser, who gave him commissions to fund his study in Rome. Although after Rome he continued to enjoy ancient Roman sculptural themes, he remained in Edinburgh for the rest of his life, working in wood, clay and marble, and concentrating on portraiture of Scottish people, and images of Scottish myth and history. He created the bust of Sir Walter Scott in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. He was a successful artist who received commissions from Queen Victoria.

Background Hutchison's father was an Edinburgh builder. In 1895 he was left £1,000 by James Cowan. He married Margaret Ballantine (1839–1875) on 28 June 1870 in Edinburgh. Margaret was the daughter of poet James Ballantine and Margaret Peat. Hutchison died on 23 May 1910 in Edinburgh after a week's illness, and is buried in Grange Cemetery, in the northern half of its SE section, alongside his wife Margaret. In 1911 The Royal Scottish Academy received Hutchison's portrait by Sir William Quiller Orchardson, R.A., HRSA., as a bequest from Hutchison. This portrait was originally done in exchange for a sculpted head of Orchardson by Hutchison. This involved work on the estate at Hospitalfield Trust, Arbroath 1849 to 1853 under the sculptor James Christie. At Hospitalfield he had the patronage of architect Patrick Allan Fraser who gave him commissions to fund his studies in Rome. Hutchison later became one of the Trustees of the Hospitalfield Trust. before studying in the Antique and Life department under Robert Scott Lauder at the Trustees Academy, Edinburgh, from 1848. In 1859–1860 and 1863 he studied in Rome under Alfred Gatty.

Working life Hutchison's sculpture yard stood at 3 Torphicen Place in Edinburgh's West End, and he lived with his family in a large Victorian flat at 19 Manor Place, slightly to the north of his studio. He exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) from 1856 to 1902, and became an associate of the RSA in 1862, and a member in 1867. He acted as Librarian to the RSA from 1877 to 1886, and one of his early tasks was to arrange and classify the collection of prints bequeathed by David Laing. He was Honorary Treasurer from 1886 to 1907. On his retirement, he was presented with a silver hot-water jug and a Georgian silver salver in respect of their esteem, and his "long and devoted interest" in the academy. The Times said that he specialised in figures from "Scottish history and romance" and memorials of Scottish priests.

Works Early work

Hutchison's first public work was executed in 1852, when he was twenty years old, for Patrick Allan Fraser HRSA. He "executed the woodcarvings and other decorations in relief for the picture gallery then in course of erection in Hospitalfield." He concentrated on portraits and busts, some with ancient Roman themes. He exhibited a Bust of Lawrence Macdonald Esq., HRSA, Sculptor (1860), and of Robert Scott Lauder RSA (1859), In the same year he produced portraits of Dr Farquharson father of Joseph Farquharson, his friend John Phillip, Esq., The Dundee Courier declared that "the composition, plain and unsophisticated, devoid of all ornament, is in harmony with and fitly symbolises the life-long character of the original." 1867 saw the appearance of James Ballantine, part of the Ballantine Testimonial, and also A Lady, and Bust of a Lady. In 1868 he executed James Cox, Esq., Lochee and J. Whyte-Melville Esq., Bennochy, past Grand Master-Mason of Scotland. His Dante was exhibited in 1869. During this decade he created two monumental statues: Adam Black (1877) in Princes Street Gardens and Robert the Bruce (1879) which is on Lochmaben High Street, Dumfries and Galloway; his birthplace.

Increasing reputation Hutchison's increasing reputation is reflected in the number of larger commissions he received in the 1870s. They include statues, monuments and a bronze door. He began with Coll Macdonald Macdonald (1870), and James Falshaw, Esq., Forfar (1871). There was more work available in 1873, with The Earl of Dalhousie, KT, GCB, The late Archibald Watson Goldie, Esq., WS, Nina, a Roman study, Peter Reid, Esq., Forfar, Mrs Lockhart Thomson, The late Sir James Y. Simpson, Bt, MD etc., Emmie, Mrs James Ballantine, and The late William Glover, DD. In the same year he made the Design for an alter-tomb now being erected in marble, and a Bronze Door of Mausoleum, perspective view. In 1878 he again exhibited a version of The late Adam Black; also Duncan McLaren, Esq., MP, and A Young Lady. In 1879 he showed A Portrait, Henry Simpson Esq., Rev. George R. Davidson, DD, and The late William Jenkyns, MA, killed in defence of the British Residency, Cabul. The same year, he exhibited A Torch Racer which had been the model for the 1887 Figure of Youth.

In the 1890s Hutchison's commissions were reflecting public recognition. In 1893 he carved figures on the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, including John Knox on the west side of the building. His marble Bust of Sir Walter Scott (1897) in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey is an homage to that of Sir Francis Chantrey in Abbotsford House.

By 1890 Hutchison was 68 years old, and producing as much as ever. That year, he exhibited The late Dr Andrew Combe, The late Hon. Lord Fraser, The late John Grigor, MD, Nairn, and the head of Dante in marble. At the RSA Exhibition in 1890 his Grigor was the most conspicuous piece: "an entirely realistic figure in bronze, with pilot-jacket overcoat, with wide-awake hat, as in life." 1891 brought Bust of a Lady, William Tod, Esq., and The Late William Wright, LLD, Professor of Arabic, Cambridge University. In 1892 he produced Henry Irving in the role of Hamlet, Baillie Harris and Miss Harris in the High School of Dundee,

Figure of Youth incident In 1887 Hutchison made the gilded Figure of Youth which crowns the dome on Old College. Adam Hall was the model for this allegory of the ideal student brandishing the Torch of Knowledge, and he was also a burglar. He was charged and sentenced to three months in the Edinburgh Sheriff Criminal Court for breaking a window and desk lock on 11 June and stealing a watch, ring and £4 10s from Hutchison's studio.

Queen's portrait bust incident In 1887 Hutchison completed a bust of Her Majesty the Queen, and of her consort Prince Albert, presented to the Victoria Art Galleries, Dundee by ex-Provost Ballingall, in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year. Many years later, after Hutchison had died, The Scotsman'' told this story: "One day, after the sitting, the Queen stood by the clay model as it was nearing completion, and gave her kindly criticism upon it. "Don't you think," said Her Majesty, "that this is a little prominent?" pointing to a part of the chin, and as she did so she placed her thumb, artist-like, on to the clay, which yielded to her touch. The sculptor took care that the mark Queen Victoria had left on her own bust was not effaced, and that it was duly carved in the more enduring marble."