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Thomas Black (1819–1864)

Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

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Notes

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Thomas Black was a highly-respected surgeon in Anstruther. Originally from the Wemyss area, he sailed to Greenland twice in his younger days on whaling ships. He set up business in Anstruther in 1839. On a night in February 1864, he died tragically, after visiting a patient in Pittenweem. After the gas lights were put out at 10 am, he fell in the darkness into Anstruther Harbour. It is believed he got stuck in the mud and drowned in the incoming tide. Thomas Black left a widow and four children.

The artist Robert Fowler was born in Anstruther and painted many works – landscapes, portraits and mythological scenes. This portrait dates from 1889, a number of years after the death of Thomas Black.

The work has been conserved thanks to funding from the Anstruther and Kilrenny Burgh Collection, the Common Good Fund and Fife Cultural Trust.

Anstruther Town Hall

Title

Thomas Black (1819–1864)

Date

1889

Medium

oil on canvas (?)

Measurements

H 146 x W 96 cm

Accession number

CUPMS:1984.18

Acquisition method

transferred to the museum collection of Fife Council

Work type

Painting

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Anstruther Town Hall

Fife Scotland

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