John Duncan RSA RSW (British, 1866-1945) The Legend of Orpheus, design for mural ((3))John Duncan RSA RSW (British, 1866-1945)The Legend of Orpheus, design for mural Triptych on three sheets of paper;(a) Orpheus tames Cerberus, and leads Eurydice from the lower world,signed with monogram (lower left)watercolour80 x 30 cm. (31 1/2 x 11 13/16 in.)(b) Orpheus plays before Pluto and Persephone, and looks back to Eurydicesigned with monogram and dated '95 (lower right)watercolour80 x 51.5 cm. (31 1/2 x 20 1/4 in.)(c) Eurydice is returned to the lower world, and Orpheus' head and lyre float down the Hebrussigned with monogram (lower left)watercolour79 x 28.5 cm. (31 1/8 x 11 1/4 in.)(3)'...Most characteristic and beautiful...' was the appraisal of the present works in an edition of The Studio of 1897. The designs were commissioned by James Beveridge for mural paintings at Pitreavie Castle, Dunfermline. Duncan was recommended by Patrick Geddes for whose Edinburgh home he had executed similar compositions.The story of Orpheus was of particular importance to the symbolist movement and was painted by a number of its principle exponents including Gustave Moreau.ProvenanceCommissioned by James Beveridge in 1895 for Pitreavie Castle, DunfermlineSale; Christie's, London, 28 October 1999, lot 236Sale; Sotheby's, London, 17 May 2011, lot 78Private Collection, UKExhibitedEdinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art, Arts and Crafts in Edinburgh 1880-1930, 1985, no.82Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh Art Centre and Dundee, Art Galleries and Museums, John Duncan, 1986, no.22 (lent by Robin Anderson, Esq.)LiteratureMargaret Armour, Mural Depiction in Scotland, Part 1., Studio, vol.10, 1897, illustrated pp.101-104John Kemplay, The Paintings of John Duncan; A Scottish Symbolist, Pomegranate Artbooks, San Fransisco, 1994, illustrated pp.20-25