John Moir (1775-1857, Scottish)

John Moir (1775-1857, Scottish)
A view of Castel Gandolfo with Lake Albano in the foreground; and a view of the waterfall at Tivoli
Signed and dated ‘John Moir 1799’
Oil on Canvas, A Pair
41 1/2 X 53 Inches, framed

Moir was Scottish painter born in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in the year 1775. His uncle was James Byres, the famous Scottish antiquarian in Rome and his father a minister in Peterhead. After going to Italy to study, he based himself in Edinburgh but he spent part of every year back in the north east. He worked primarily as a portrait painter but also painted stunning Neo-Classical view such as this pair. In the 1840s he returned permanently to Peterhead. His sitters include many significant figures from Aberdeenshire area.