486

Painting of the Castlegate featuring the Market Cross. The Market Cross was designed by John Montgomery in 1686. The Cross was moved to this location in the Castlegate in 1842.

687

This view shows the narrow congested Exchequer Row, around 1900. It is a photograph of a watercolour painting by Alexander J. Murray that is in the collection of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums (AAGM). The Balmoral style tower of the Salvation Army Citadel, opened in 1896, is seen in the distance with the Market Cross surrounded by an ongoing market. Exchequer Row (first mentioned in 1350) was a short street connecting the Shiprow to the Castlegate, and on its right side, were a number of courts leading into an area crammed with insanitary dwellings which were later demolished. It was popularly supposed that the name Exchequer Row derived from the Aberdeen Mint which stood in the area. However, it comes from the name of the Royal Customs House - the Skakkarium, dating back to the 14th century.

820

Stone marking Flood mark, 4th August 1829 on Bridge of Dee. The stone was originally put on a high wall to the north-east of the Bridge of Dee. The level of the river beyond tidal waters was estimated at ten feet above normal. When the Riverside Road was formed in 1923, the slab was shifted to another site near the bridge.

1025

Culvert washed out by flood, Milltimber Brae, August 1923.

1761

A painting of sailing ships at sea in rough weather.

1945

The gateway to Marischal College on Broad Street.

1996

The arrival at Aberdeen Harbour in September 1848 of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The original of this painting by the artist Peter Cleland is now in the possession of Aberdeen City Council. The Royal Family had traveled from London on the Royal Yacht - a wooden paddle steamer called 'Victoria and Albert', with the intention of berthing at Aberdeen and then proceeding by coach to Balmoral. The City's careful arrangements were thrown into disarray when the vessel made such good time under Captain John Cargill that she arrived on Thursday 7th September 1848 - a full day ahead of her expected arrival on the 8th. By good fortune the Harbour Engineer happened to be supervising another vessel when he recognised the Royal Yacht arriving. So that he could arrange its safe mooring and send messages to the Lord Provost George Thompson, bells in the city were set ringing and crowds rushed to the harbour to see the Queen and prince Albert.

2018

A portrait of Harbour Treasurer James A. Ross situated in his office. On his desk can be seen a fine boxed barometer, while on the wall above the fireplace, there hangs a copy of a painting by Peter Cleland depicting Queen Victoria's first visit to Aberdeen in September 1848.

2033

A portrait of Provost John Ross of Arnage (1665 - 1714). He served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1710-1711. Provost Ross' House on Shiprow, later part of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, was named after him. Ross died on 15th September 1714 while on business in Amsterdam and is buried in the English Church of that city. This portrait is said to have been painted in 1685 by Sir John Medina (1659-1710). The painting is at Fyvie Castle and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. A correspondent informs us that it was donated by the Leith-Ross family, and formerly hung in Leith Hall.

2076

A Portrait of James Cassie, R.S.A., (1819-1879) by James Beattie-Scott. Born at Keithhall, Cassie was the son of James Cassie, a tea merchant, and Catherine, née Dawnie. His movement was impaired after a childhood injury and he subsequently dedicated himself to painting. Cassie became a student of Highland scenery painter James Giles and settled in Aberdeen. In 1869 he was elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy and moved to Edinburgh, where he stayed until his death. Many of his works are kept in the Aberdeen Art Gallery.

2163

Every student of the class had a chance to design and contribute to the dolphin with no-one left out. Painting their hands and using bright colours helped achieve this. Also included is the Ferryhill School badge.

2191

"Eric" replaced "Carnegie" and remained in the Central Library on the dolphin trail throughout June until the end of August. Eric was a tribute to artist Eric Auld FRSA (1931 - 24 December 2013) who supported the Wild Dolphins project but sadly passed away before painting a dolphin. 'Eric" is a collage of portraits and landscapes applied reflecting his stylistic brush strokes featuring some of his most iconic images mixed with original sketches of former students.

2269

The facade of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Gray's School of Art on Schoolhill. The Arts School was founded by John Gray, engineer, 'to promote education in drawing, painting, modelling, and all branches of art' and was built in 1885 next door to the Art Gallery and on the site of the old Grammar School. The architects were Matthews and Mackenzie who used a mixture of pink granite from Corrennie Quarry and sparkling white Kemnay Granite. The gateway leads to Robert Gordon's College, founded by Robert Gordon, a Danzig merchant, and opened in 1750. It is now a co-educational private school. Gray's School of Art became part of the Robert Gordon University, and was re-sited to the Garthdee area in 1965. The statue in the foreground is that of General Charles Gordon who was killed at Khartoum. The statue was sculpted by T. Stuart Burnett, ARSA. This Gordon was unrelated to Robert Gordon.

2322

Although the union of the Parliaments between Scotland and England had taken place almost a hundred years before, as the 18th century was drawing to a close there was still much fascination regarding the differing cultures. In time, Victorian society would give this fascination a renewed vigour, helped by Queen Victoria's passion for Scotland - including the establishment of Balmoral Castle as her residence North of the border. Before that time though, in the late 1790s, books were produced offering English readers an insight into their neighbours' traditions. One such book was entitled 'A selection of original Scots songs' edited by Franz Haydn and published between 1790 and 1794. The book is designed to introduce the reader to the music and lyrics of traditional songs in Scotland. Haydn's book reproduced the songs along with corresponding music, and also offered a glossary to help with the more obscure language. Burns' song 'My Heart's In The Highlands' - more popularly regarded today as a poem - makes an appearance in the selected works by Franz Haydn. With the collected works produced between 1790 - 1794, this was at a time when Burns began to suffer from the illnesses which would eventually end his life just a couple of years later. Robert Burns Celebrated across Scotland every year, Robert Burns Day takes place on 25 January and is an opportunity to remember Scotland's Bard and his work. Known the world over as the National Poet of Scotland, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) was born in Alloway, Ayrshire. Burns' early life was one of balance; he toiled on his family's farm by day, and was taught reading and writing by candlelight at night. He conversed in Scots, while learning passages from English texts to further his studies. Although regarded by history largely as a poet, Burns also composed many songs - perhaps his most famous work 'Auld Lang Syne' being one of the few traditionally remembered in song form. One of our treasures this month celebrates Robert Burns' work and that of many other traditional Scottish musicians.

2435

The photographic collections of Aberdeen Journal Ltd span over a century. The photographs were taken to support stories and features in The Press & Journal and Evening Express newspapers - a picture speaks a thousand words after all. However, the accumulated photography has created a historical resource documenting life in the north east and Highlands during a century of change and development. The collection covers everything from the changing landscapes of our towns and cities through to global news events. But it's personal, too. People and their images are at the heart of our stories, be it the children on their first day in a new school through to community events and individual achievements. Your image is probably in the archive somewhere if you look hard enough. The collection is actively used by our journalists. It provides content for favourites like The Aberdonian and Past Lives features in the Evening Express and historical context and background to stories in The Press & Journal. The collection is also used by external researchers looking for copies of images in which they or their family featured, supporting charities and associations celebrating anniversaries and even to supplement content as featured in The Silver City Vault! archives@ajl.co.uk View all the Christmas images from the archive in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the library touchscreens.

2959

An Adelphi Series postcard with a reproduction of Hugh Irvine of Drum's painting of Castle Street in 1812. The postcard was lent to Aberdeen City Libraries so that we could create a digital copy for public use.

3534

Photograph taken looking north-east from Albert Quay into the Tidal Harbour, with Matthew's Quay visible on the left. Photo depicts the Aberdeen Floating Dock which was located near and around Pocra Quay. This floating dock is mentioned in an April 24th, 1911 article from the Aberdeen Press & Journal where it states that it was built by Messrs Vickers, Ltd. in Barrow from their Naval Construction Works. The article was written while the floating dock was en route to Aberdeen which dates the photograph to some time after April 24th 1911. Another article from the Aberdeen P&J from the 13th of July 1909 details how the construction of this floating dock cost the Harbour Commissioners of Aberdeen £49,250. This floating dock was used for the maintenance, repair and painting of vessels within Aberdeen Harbour. It was commissioned and then later constructed for the purposes of servicing vessels which were too large for the existing stationary Graving Dock.

3770

A mural by artist KMG depicting of a multi-eyed being, understood to be called Ken, that is advocating respect. This painting is located in the East Green lane under one of the walkways connecting the Indoor Market and Union Street. This photograph was taken in July 2018.

4525

A photograph showing an art class at the Aberdeen High School for Girls on Albyn Place. The exact date is unknown, but the image is thought to be from the early 1900s. The sitting pupils are painting still lifes of a vase of cut flowers. Those standing are sketching a classical style sculpture.

4557

A photograph of an exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery that featured in the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 5th December 1940, page 19. The caption accompanying the image reads: "North-East Artists' Exhibition opened yesterday in Aberdeen Art Gallery, and picture gives a view of a section. The show, for which some 300 entries had been received, will be open until March. Sculptures seen are 'Youth' by Mrs Gladys Barron: 'Seventeen Summers' and Morning Breeze.'" Other captions indicate the exhibition included artworks by Henry Simpson, John S. Shiach, Ailie Robertson, Mrs Mary K. Harrison, Dorothy Johnstone (Mrs D. M. Sutherland), Private Alberto Morrocco, Margaret Wright, Miss M. Storr Best, Geo. W. Lawrence and James Hamilton, who showed a painting called Spirit of the Word.

4559

A photographic portrait of artist Robert Sivell (1888-1958) that featured in the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 12th January 1939, page 8. Alongside a portrait of George Jamesone (1589/90-1644, this image illustrates an article by Cuthbert Graham (1911-1987) titled 'These men are putting us on the map'. This article was written on the occasion of a Royal Academy Exhibition of Scottish Art taking place in London at Burlington House. Graham contrasts the older, and often late, artists of this exhibition (e.g. Jamesone, William Dyce, Robert Brough, John Philip and Pittendrigh Macgillivray) with the modern art scene of Aberdeen, including Sivell and the murals at the new Student Union buildings he was then overseeing. The article also speculates on the relative status of Aberdeen in the overall world of Scottish art. The caption accompanying the portrait of Sivell reads "Mr Robert Sivell, A.R.S.A., who is directing the work of Gray's School art students in the murals at the new Students' Union." Describing the nature of the murals, which had only recently begun to be painted, Graham writes the following: "The decorations are serious in conception and humanistic in temper. They will enhance the actual fabric of this building and will make it, I doubt not, a show place in itself. Unlike the usual run of decorations in this rackety modern age, they will not reflect the 'temporary' impulse that creates picture palaces, pubs, and dance-halls. A more permanent quality will give them a longer life than most modern murals can hope to enjoy." Graham's article goes on to describe the planned murals in more detail. Before finally highlighting the importance of D. M. Sutherland, then head of Gray's School of Art, as both an individual artist and to the wider Aberdeen art scene . Robert Sivell was the principal teacher of painting and drawing at Gray's School of Art. An obituary for him can be found in the Evening Express newspaper of 19th April 1958, page 4. This obituary states that Sivell was a native of Paisley and product of Glasgow School of Art. Prior to working as an artist, he was apprenticed as an engineer. During the Second World War Sivell was commissioned with the War Artists' Advisory Committee. Sivell was elected to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1943 and retired from Gray's in 1954. He died aged 69 at his home The Hollow, Stell, Kirkcudbright. He was survived by his wife and a daughter.

4561

A photographic portrait of Wick born artist David Macbeth Sutherland (1883-1973). This image accompanied an article from the 'Living Artists' series, found in the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 21st March 1940, page 19. As highlighted in Sutherland's obituary, titled 'Former art chief dies on holiday' in the Evening Express newspaper of 22nd September 1973, page 7 - Sutherland became one of the North-East's most renowned artists. Born in 1883 and a veteran of the First World War, Sutherland developed a particular talent for landscape and portrait painting. He went on to fill the role of Principal at Gray's School of Art for over 15 years, retiring in 1948. Later in life he would receive various honours, gaining recognition for his works and contributions within his field. The obituary lists Sutherland's address at the time of his death as Woodhouselea House, North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen.

4562

A photographic portrait of Dorothy Johnstone (1892-1980). This image accompanied an article from the 'Living Artists' series, found in the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 16th May 1940, page 15. Accompanying this article are some examples of Johnstone's work, illustrating her keen talent for portrait painting, noting a distinctive style in her depiction of children. Wife to the artist and former Gray's School of Art principal David M. Sutherland, Johnstone became a highly accomplished and well recognised figure within her field. Johnstone's obituary, simply titled 'Dorothy Johnstone' in The Scotsman newspaper of 17th July 1980, page 8, highlights her early study of art and her academic career. This lead to numerous successes and recognitions for her accomplishments, and regular exhibitions of her work. Johnstone's final months were spent with her daughter in Wales, where she would pass away while in hospital. The article quotes the Director of Aberdeen Art Gallery upon news of her death, stating "She was held in the highest regard". Johnstone's obituary lists her as having latterly resided in Cults, Aberdeen.

4563

A photograph showing principal teacher of drawing and painting at Gray's School of Art, Mr. Robert Sivell (1888-1958), with two of his students standing in front of murals created for a San Francisco cocktail bar. The image accompanies an article titled 'City Art Students Decorate Cocktail Bar' from the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 7th July 1938, page 9. The accompanying article explains that Sivell and four of his post-diploma students were commissioned to paint seven wall murals for a new Scottish themed cocktail bar in the US city of San Francisco. Three of the seven paintings were full-sized panels standing nine feet high. These depicted Rob Roy, Prince Charles Edward and Balmoral Castle. Four other panels were smaller and showed Tantallon Castle, a Highland scene, Sligachan and Sgurr nan Gillean on Skye, and Loch Tay. The article lists Mr. Sivell's students as Isobel Mackie, Alberto Morocco, James Hillocks and Taylor Bremner. Referring to his students and the murals, Sivell stated "This is their first commercial work, and it's well done." The commission for the paintings came through local tailors, Messrs Meldrum, Ltd., George Street, who were well known in America for supplying tartans, kilts, and Scots tweeds. Having dispatched a consignment of Stuart tartan for the bar, they were also approached concerning decorative paintings. Mr Meldrum queried the request with Mr J. Taylor of Taylor's Art Saloon, who then went to Robert Sivell. The work was carried out in Aberdeen, taking roughly a week, and the finished murals were due to be sent to America on 4th July 1938. (P&J, 04/07/1938, p. 8). These Scottish themed murals can be seen as a precursory to those Sivell and his students would soon create for the new Students' Union buildings on the Gallowgate.