CURLING ART

There are a number of remarkable curling paintings around the world, but few that match the impressiveness of Charles Lees’ work of the Grand Match that took place January 25, 1848. Titled “The Grand Match at Linlithgow Loch,” it shows what appears to be a wild game of curling with men in top hats and full dress. According to historian Bob Cowan, the curling was between 35 teams from the north and 35 from the south. Reportedly, 6,000 people were present. The painting of this event showed only a small number of these folks, and many notables of Scottish curling are represented. In fact, Cowan stated, there is evidence to suggest that Lees travelled to the homes of curlers to sketch them. The painting was completed in 1849, and the Royal Caledonian Curling Club purchased it in 1898. For many years, it hung in the curling club at Perth. In 2006, Sotheby’s appraised the work at £500,000. The work now hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.