Kenneth MacLeay  RSA

Portraits

Watercolour by Kenneth MacLeay

Mrs Hay Mackenzie

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to Ron Hodgkinson

Question

Who was Mrs Hay Mackenzie?

The watercolour above by Kenneth MacLeay is dated 1842 and is reported to be of Mrs Hay Mackenzie.  The background may be her home, possibly Castle Leod.

Ron Hodgkinson, the owner of the picture has been attempting to discover more about Mrs Hay Mackenzie.  If you are able to help, please email me.

Answer -  Part 1

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]

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 -  Part 2

Ron Hodgkinson writes:

"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."

Answer -  Part 3

If you can advance the arguments above in any way, please email me.  Thank you.