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John Russell
1819 - 1893 Still-life and Wildlife Artist Leading painter of Spey salmon of the Victorian era Edinburgh born, Russell was a self-taught artist known for his oil paintings of highland rivers and trophy fish. He served his apprenticeship as a house painter, establishing his studio in Fochabers around 1872. Russell was probably the first professional fish model artist, carving and painting models of salmon caught on the Spey by the nobility and gentry visiting the Duke of Richmond & Gordon at Gordon Castle for the fishing, grouse shooting and stalking. He was clearly fascinated by the River Spey and produced many paintings of river scenes. Russell's paintings are today greatly esteemed by art lovers everywhere. His daughter, Dhuie, became his assistant and in her unique style, captured the natural colouring of the King of Fish. Dhuie married John Tully, a carpenter by trade, and he in turn became the leading expert of his day in modelling salmon in wood. Specimens of their work are still in evidence in mansions, cottages and even fishing huts up and down Speyside. Russell's son, James Russell also earned a reputation in his own right for the painting of fish and game. His paintings were shown at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin and exhibitions in Manchester.
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