This biography from the Archives of AskART:
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 Alexander Carse was a Scottish painter who originally worked as a wigmaker. In the 1790s he produced topographical illustrations in Edinburgh and reputedly trained under David Allan and at the Trustees’ Academy. Turning to figure subjects c. 1800, he contributed to the development of Realism in Scottish genre. He evolved a frank but subtle style with a sensitive response to character and the nuances of light, seen in Arrival of the Country Cousins (c. 1812; Duke of Buccleuch private collection).
His art was admired by the young David Wilkie, who based his Pitlessie Fair on Carse’s Oldhamstock Fair (1796; both in Edinburgh, National Gallery). Wilkie also took up many of the subjects that Carse had already derived from Allan, such as Penny Wedding, which Carse had painted in 1819 (G. N. Statham private collection, on dep. Edinburgh, National Gallery).
Carse contributed to the exhibitions of the Society of Incorporated Artists in Edinburgh from their inception in 1808. He also became a regular and popular exhibitor in London, where he lived from 1812 to 1820. His works depicted contemporary domestic life and humorous and literary subjects such as Tam O’Shanter (1815; Edinburgh, National Gallery) and the Troops of Tweeddale from Penicuik’s poems, depicted on the ceiling panel (destroyed) for Newhall House, near Edinburgh.
He also wrote a Romantic poem which he illustrated, The Witches’ Late Wake (1815; Edinburgh, National Gallery). In 1831 he was elected an Artist Associate of the Royal Institute in Edinburgh, but he produced little in his later years.
Collections
Carse is represented in the National Gallery, Edinburgh, amongst others.
Source:
Sphinx Fine Art
http://www.sphinxfineart.com/Carse-Alexander-DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=45&tabindex=44&artistid=30704
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