Painting of Elizabeth Carter by Katharine Read. Reproduced by Courtesy of the Dr Johnson's House Trustees. Copyright © 2008. Select A Story... Agnes Husband Mariote Ker An Anonymous Maidservant Frances Wright Margaret Fenwick Alice Moorhead and Emily Thomson Mary Ann Baxter Williamina Fleming Lila Clunas Margaret Fairlie Rebecca Strong Jean Thomson Mary Alcock Victoria Drummond Katharine Read Florence Horsbrugh Mary Lily Walker Mary Brooksbank Mary Slessor Mary Buick (or Buik) Bella Keyzer Ethel Moorhead Grissell Jaffray Janet Keiller Emma Caird Katharine Read | Footstep 15 | 1723 - 1778 Chances are you may have heard of Joshua Reynolds and Gainsborough - but not of Katharine Read. Yet she was just as well-known in her time - and just as well-paid as those famous artists. Katharine was born in Logie into a comfortably-off family, the fifth child of Elizabeth Wedderburn and Alexander Read. The family were Jacobite supporters and moved from Dundee after the rebellion of 1745. Although we don't know who taught her initially, Katharine painted in pastels. In France, she studied under a pastellist, Marcel Quentin de la Tour and also studied in Italy for three years. Back in London in 1754, she set up her own studio and became sought-after as a portrait painter - she was appointed 'Painter to the Queen' and later lived and painted portraits in India. Until recently, Katharine was largely forgotten in Dundee but there are plans to acquire some of her work for the city at McManus Galleries, where you will find her plaque following completion of the refurbishment work. Previous Story  |  Next Story
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