Kenneth MacLeay  RSA

Portrait

Question

Ron Hodgkinson

Mrs Hay Mackenzie

Ron Hodgkinson, the owner of the picture and has been attempting to discover more about it.  Ron writes:

-  It is a watercolour by Kenneth MacLeay and is dated 1842

-  It is reported to be of Mrs Hay Mackenzie.

-  The background may be her home,  possibly Castle Leod.

-  What is known about Mrs Hay Mackenzie?

If you can help to answer Ron's question, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to Ron.

Thank you.    -  Peter Stubbs

Answer

1.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

It may be Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie

There is a painting by Kenneth MacLeay, dated 1842, in a private collection.  It is probably of Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie (1829-88), later Duchess of Sutherland and Countess of Cromartie 1829-88.  She stands with the edge of a castle in the background

This painting was exhibited at the RSA (Royal Scottish Academy) in 1843.

[Scottish National Portrait Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland]

Answer

2.

Ron Hodgkinson

It is unlikely to be Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie

Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie (1829-88) would have been aged about 13 in 1824.  The lady in the painting above looks older, so this casts doubt on whether or not the sitter in the watercolour above is  Mrs Ann Hay Mackenzie.

Ronald Hodgkinson

Answer

3.

Ron Hodgkinson

Ron Hodgkinson added:

It may be the mother of Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie

"I have been doing a little more research and I have discovered that Anne Hay Mackenzie's mother was also Anne - Anne Craig daughter of Sir James Gibson Craig - she married John Hay Mackenzie in 1828 she died in 1869.

 In 1842 she would have been thirty something so perhaps she is our mystery lady. However I would still appreciate any help to establish whether I am on the right track."

Ronald Hodgkinson

Answer

4.

Rita Oster

USA

Rita Oster wrote.

It is not Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie

"The portrait is not of Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie.  There isn't any resemblance.

The castle is certainly not Castle Loed."

 Rita added:

"Perhaps it would help if you contacted the Clan Mackenzie Society UK or Alan McKenzie, Clan Mackenzie Society In The Americas (= Canada)"

Rita Oster, Commissioner Clan Mackenzie Society USA:  February 20, 2009

Answer

5.

Amelie

Austria

Thank you to Amelie who wrote:

Probably not Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie

"I came across your page in my search for a painting of Anne Hayes MacKenzie, later Duchess of Sutherland, as I need a picture of her for a book I want to publish in Hungary.

I surfed for hours and now my conclusion is that this picture is not of her."

©

I have found another picture of her.  If I can verify that the source is trustworthy, I should be able to confirm that the picture above is not of Mrs Anne Hay Mackenzie."

Amelie, Austria:  July 25, 2010