Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, later Duchess of Sutherland (1765–1839), was an amateur artist of some merit who was stated by early biographers to have studied with Girtin (Morris, 2002a, pp.256–57). Lady Sutherland was clearly attracted to his work and the diarist Joseph Farington (1747–1821) recorded in 1799 that she and Edward Lascelles (1764–1814) were ‘disposed to set up Girtin against Turner – who they say effects his purpose by industry – the former more genius’ (Farington, Diary, 9 February 1799). Two watercolours from the Sutherland collection, Kirkby Malham (TG1690) and The Valley of the Tweed, with Melrose Abbey in the Distance (TG1721), appear to have been acquired by Lady Sutherland herself, presumably directly from the artist.

1801

Kirkby Malham

TG1690

1800 - 1801

The Valley of the Tweed, with Melrose Abbey in the Distance

TG1721