macleay paintings, then and now

**piperdbh** · 2nd May 13, 05:02 PM

This thread sure turned out to be a rip-snortin' barn-burner of a success, didn't it?

**TheOfficialBren** · 2nd May 13, 05:17 PM

It's a great thread! I was looking forward to seeing more examples.

**MacMillans son** · 2nd May 13, 08:26 PM

Well dbh, we CAN say that all of the photo entrants were spot on!! I thought it was a neat idea, and was looking forward to other posts, but it appears that others are as creatively challenged as I am!! Nice idea though.

**rlh2** · 4th May 13, 07:36 PM

Bump for a wonderful idea. Lets see 'em.

**OC Richard** · 15th July 13, 05:09 PM

I need to point out that the image in the OP isn't a MacLeay portrait, lest anyone get the wrong idea.

The trouble with the MacLeay portraits is that the men are simply standing there (necessary due to the hours each portrait took), so any modern photo of a guy in a kilt just standing there more or less matches them.

More interesting poses are to be found in non-portraits such as the somewhat cheesy illustrations in old tartan books

But for real cheese you have to go back to McIan in the 1840s... these are poses you can really sink your teeth into! Maybe one of us can kiss our dirk and shake our fist at the wind! (18th century multitasking...)

or sport some Wolverine whiskers and take off our shirt and cut the feet out of our socks!

These fantasy paintings are as far removed as can be imagined from the dignified, stately MacLeay portraits, actual living men painted from life

**TheOfficialBren** · 16th July 13, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I need to point out that the image in the OP isn't a MacLeay portrait, lest anyone get the wrong idea.

The trouble with the MacLeay portraits is that the men are simply standing there (necessary due to the hours each portrait took), so any modern photo of a guy in a kilt just standing there more or less matches them.

More interesting poses are to be found in non-portraits such as the somewhat cheesy illustrations in old tartan books

But for real cheese you have to go back to McIan in the 1840s... these are poses you can really sink your teeth into! Maybe one of us can kiss our dirk and shake our fist at the wind! (18th century multitasking...)

or sport some Wolverine whiskers and take off our shirt and cut the feet out of our socks!

These fantasy paintings are as far removed as can be imagined from the dignified, stately MacLeay portraits, actual living men painted from life

I notice that in this last picture (the grey one with the man with a black beard) the man's jacket (if allowed for full-buttoning) would extend lower than today's kilt jackets and partially cover his sporran.

**ronin6290** · 16th July 13, 03:14 AM

Nice catch BREN. I have an old photo of a gentleman wearing a similar jacket. It too has only the first button buttoned exposing his sporran and waistcoat. A good look I thought. Nice boots he is wearing as-well.

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

I notice that in this last picture (the grey one with the man with a black beard) the man's jacket (if allowed for full-buttoning) would extend lower than today's kilt jackets and partially cover his sporran.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 16th July 13, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

I notice that in this last picture (the grey one with the man with a black beard) the man's jacket (if allowed for full-buttoning) would extend lower than today's kilt jackets and partially cover his sporran.

Some modern day kilt jackets are the same way. Here's a Harris Tweed jacket I have. If I buttoned it up all the way (which I don't think I have ever done), it would cover the top of my sporran, as well.