John Pettie, R.A., H.R.S.A. Sixteen examples in colour of the artist's work

This compact volume brings sixteen of the artist’s most celebrated paintings to life in vivid colour, each reproduced on a dedicated plate that highlights his flair for drama and detail. From the tense courtroom scene of “A Drum‑head Court‑Martial” to the lively humor of “A Storm in a Teacup,” the collection showcases a range of subjects—historical epics, genre moments, and striking portraits—offering listeners a rich visual tour through nineteenth‑century British art.

Accompanying the plates is a brief yet insightful introduction that traces the painter’s modest beginnings in a Scottish village, his early encouragement from a perceptive mother, and his formative years at the Trustees’ Academy alongside fellow innovators. The narrative also touches on his bold move to London, the bohemian camaraderie of his Fitzroy Square studio, and the early successes that secured his place on the Royal Academy’s walls. Together, the text and images provide an engaging snapshot of a talent who turned humble sketches into celebrated works of colour and narrative.