Lees, Charles (1800-1880) - The Golfers, St. Andrews 1847

In 1847 Lees completed this depiction of the 1844 grand match at St Andrews, The Golfers, which has been cited as being "the most famous golfing work of art in the world." It shows the annual autumn meeting of October 1844, the scene being set at the 'Ginger Beer Hole' on the Old Course at St Andrews. The golf match that Lees painted was between Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther of Balcaskie against Major Hugh Lyon Playfair of St Andrews and John Campbell, Esq. of Glensaddel. As a portrait painter Lees had painted the true likeness of the actual players and spectators, and a key survives naming them.

The original oil painting is owned by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. An engraving was made by Charles E. Wagstaffe (born 1808) from which prints were produced. 

This download consists of 1 image, in jpeg format, that is 600dpi and 8793 pixels wide by 5958 pixels tall. 

The picture is out of copyright and in the public domain, so you are free to use it in whatever way you'd like, including commercial use.

Charles Lees RSA (1800-1880) was a Scottish portrait painter who specialised in sporting and recreational subjects.

Lees was born in 1800 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. He began his career in art training under the eminent Edinburgh portrait painter Sir Henry Raeburn. He went to Rome for six months, and on return spent the majority of his working life in Edinburgh, having his studio at 19 Scotland Street. Lees also taught drawing.

In the 1830s Charles Lees, portrait painter is listed as living at 9 Elder Street in Edinburgh's New Town.

He died in Edinburgh on 20 February 1880 and was buried with his wife Elizabeth Christie of Baberton, and their children, in Warriston Cemetery. The grave stands on the north side of the main east-west path in the upper section.

Charles Lees achieved initial renown as a portrait painter, his accomplishments leading to his election to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1830. He later served as the Academy's Treasurer.

Lees is perhaps best known for his work specialising in sporting and recreational subjects, particularly golfing and curling, to which he turned from the 1840s.