Part of the French Ambassador's

Category

Library Item

Item no

702

Title

Part of the French Ambassador's Chapel (the Twelve Apostles Buildings), Cowgate

Description

This busy scene in the Cowgate, Edinburgh, shows soldiers marching past the French Ambassador's Chapel. Two musicians playing their instruments, a flute and a drum, are followed by a man wearing a kilt and plumed hat who is holding a sword. Groups of men, women and children stand outside a row of shops.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1822

Size

26 x 22 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The 'French Ambassador's Chapel' on the Cowgate was said to have been the private chapel of the French Ambassador during the reign of Queen Mary. The eaves of its highest window were lined with busts of the heads of the twelve apostles. Next door to the chapel was the house of Dickison of Winkston. Dickison's Armorial bearings, the figure of a were-wolf and the motto 'Speravi et Inveni' (hopes and discoveries) were displayed above the door. Neither building is extant.

The artist's signature is at the bottom righthand corner.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

People > Entertainment and sports > Musicians

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Chapels