Bruce, George

Gender:

Male

Date and place of birth:

ca.1775, presumed Edinburgh

Date and place of death:

dec. 25.09.1846, 12 London Row, Leith

Worked:

fl. 1792- ca.1845

Known places of work:

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leith

Known techniques:

Painted on ivory and plaster

Known materials:

Ivory and plaster

Frames:

Pearwood, Oval brass & Papier-mache

Signature:

Recorded

Introduction:

Rightly confident in his abilities, George Bruce proclaimed he would never charge if the end product was not an exact resemblance of the sitter. Well regarded today, one profile in the Victoria & Albert Collection currently attributed to Miers, was put forward by McKechnie as a work by Bruce. This is unsurprising, as Bruce was taught by Samuel Houghton, and new research in 2021 discovered Houghton was Miers’ own pupil.

As Bruce worked for over 50 years, his style changed considerably and the few works painted after 1820 generally lack the finesse of his earlier output. Four printed trade labels are known: one records a brief stay in Glasgow ca.1797, though he remained based in Edinburgh until removing to Leith in 1833.

CALEDONIAN MERCURY newspaper advertisements evidence Houghton’s sole pupil, Bruce, worked for him only between July 1791-1792, after which, Houghton became incapacitated by a malady which caused his demise by March 1793.

An advertisement of July 1792, shows Bruce carried on the business “…in all its branches” on behalf of Houghton’s family and himself. Continuing as Houghton & Bruce, by no doubt trading on Houghton’s celebrity, the curious partnership dissolved when he wed Houghton’s widow in January 1797.

Whether Houghton's death caused a decline in business isn't known, but works bearing the joint trade label are extremely rare and, perhaps tellingly, in 1794 the partnership moved from Houghton's rooms on the fashionable promenade of South Bridge Street to the head of Anchor Close, High Street, in the bustle of Edinburgh's Old Town.

In summary, any profile thought to be by Houghton bearing a joint trade label, must now be regarded as either a Houghton duplicate, or by Bruce copying Houghton’s style, which, judging by his early output, he was capable of producing. Bolstering this supposition, Bruce states in a June 1804 advertisement that he “…retained all his original sketches, also those of his predecessor, Mr. Houghton, so those…who have sat to each may have…copies”.

Painting on plaster and also ivory for jewellery settings, he consistently advertised in Edinburgh and Leith directories between 1797 and 1846 primarily as a miniature painter, though tellingly he is absent from reference works. He later offered "coloured sketches” on paper and advertised as a drawing master. Given the length of his career, it's surprising he only placed 5 newspaper advertisements, all between 1797 and 1808.

In 1807, he advertised his profiles as "...well-known throughout Scotland". This could be an advertiser's exaggeration, but given his extremely long career, Bruce profiles are inexplicably rare. All the more so, as with the building of Edinburgh's New Town and Eastern New Town, he was perfectly placed to be patronised by their affluent residents.

Though no definitive records have surfaced, it's probable he was born in Edinburgh in April 1775 to George Bruce, (occupation unknown) and Jacobina Foy, daughter of a writing master.

Bruce married Houghton's widow Agnes in January 1797. Three offspring were recorded: George Jnr., born in 1798, became a ship's master, Jessie Addison Bruce, the artist's eldest daughter, died in December 1826, and Agnes Bruce, born ca.1810, became a pianoforte teacher.

In November 1843 being "...in a weak and afflicted state...", Bruce willed his estate to "...his belocvd daughter Agnes". As she was recorded living with him in the 1841 Census, it's likely she nursed him through his final years. His brief obituary was announced in the CALEDONIAN MERCURY on the 1st of October 1846. "At 12 London Row, Leith, on the 25th...[September], Mr. George Bruce, Artist".

Revised 31 October 2022 (Brian Wellings)