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Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen
165 Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen. These curious towers stand at the gate leading to Powis Lodge, almost opposite King's College, Old Aberdeen. They were constructed by John Leslie of Powis, who succeeded his father, Hugh Leslie of Powis, the builder of Powis House (1802).
John Leslie succeeded his father in 1812, and the towers were finished in 1834. The crescent on the top of one of the towers is the crest of the Frasers, the predecessors of the Leslies in the property of Powis.
As indicated in the bottom right, this etching of the gateway is by Aberdeen artist Henry Jackson Simpson (1893-1963), known professionally as Jackson Simpson. He was a prolific and successful local artist who specialised in etchings and watercolours of architecture, land and seascapes and wildlife.
Simpson died at his home at 58 Craigton Road, aged 70, on 28th March 1963. His obituary, which gives an account of his life, featured in the next day's Press & Journal.
He was a native of Aberdeen, the son of William Jackson, an art dealer in Diamond Street. He trained as a lithographer and joined his father in business. He served in WWI with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.
In 1935 he took over the family business following the death of his father. He was well travelled around Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire and this is reflected in his art. University related subjects such as Marischal College, King's College and, here, the Powis Gateway, were among his most well known works.
A keen sportsperson, and prominent freemason, he also set-up the Craigton Club and was highly involved with the Northern Arts Club.
An article titled 'The charming story of Jackson Simpson: Scotland's celebrated etcher' featured on the Press & Journal website, in partnership with the McEwan Gallery near Ballater, on 8th June 2022. The feature was produced to highlight an exhibition of Simpson's work at the aforementioned gallery. Treasure 91: Aberdeen Art Gallery Ephemera
310 As the refurbishment of Aberdeen Art Gallery continues this is an opportunity to feature a selection of ephemera held in the Library collections reflecting some aspects of its history. The full history of the Gallery is documented in Jennifer Melville's book, Aberdeen Art Gallery - A History, published in 2010. The Aberdeen Daily Journal of 10 April 1905 described the opening of the handsome new Sculpture Gallery and the enlarged art galleries by distinguished artist Sir George Reid as "an important stage in an epoch-making period in the history of Aberdeen's connection with art". Sketches of the proposed new Sculpture Gallery appeared in the Aberdeen Daily Journal on 27 January 1903 but it was not until 8 April 1905 that the official opening took place. In the Library collections we hold a number of items which describe the events of that day. The Programme of Proceedings with its beautifully illustrated front cover gives the order of speeches and music selections for the occasion.
Find out more about the Art Gallery in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. |