George Davidson

George Davidson, Fine Art Dealer and Artists’ Colourman, 123, Sauchiehall Street.—

    One of the best-known establishments of its kind in Glasgow is that of Mr. George Davidson, for the supply of fine art materials and artists’ colours. This business was originally inaugurated at 88, Sauchiehall Street, in 1870, and was transferred to its present handsome premises. The sole proprietor to-day is Mr. George Davidson.

    The premises comprise a large and commodious double shop, with a spacious glass-roofed saloon at the rear. The main showroom, which is about 45 feet by 18 feet in dimensions, has a fine extent of plate-glass windows, so arranged as to afford the greatest facilities for advantageous and effective display. The decorations and appointments of the entire establishment are exceedingly handsome and tasteful. The stock held in the forward showroom consists principally of artists' materials, and includes a very great number of studies in colour of a conspicuously high-class order. There is also shown a large and valuable assortment of etchings, engravings, and oil-paintings, works of the first artistic merit from the studios of painters and artists of celebrity. The saloon contains a most interesting and meritorious display of oil-paintings and water-colour drawings, all carefully selected from among the best works of the leading artists of to-day, as also a large number of autotype reproductions of pictures from the National Gallery, London, and the Salon, Paris.

    About fifteen or sixteen capable assistants find occupation in the establishment, which has been enlarged, since Mr. Davidson took possession, by the addition, five or six years ago, of part of the main showroom and saloon, altogether a length of about 50 feet. The speciality of the house, in a productive sense, consists in gold framing, in which respect much exceedingly beautiful work is done, to the constant strengthening of an established reputation. Mr. Davidson also represents most of the fine art exhibitions in Scotland and England, and acts as sole agent in Glasgow for Dr. Schoenfeld, of Dusseldorf, whose manufacture of artists’ colours has achieved a world-wide renown. Artists’ designs are carefully worked out, pictures are received, collected, framed, and sent to all exhibitions ; picture and mirror frames are re-gilt equal to new, ancient and modern paintings are skilfully cleaned and restored, and moderate prices are the rule of the establishment. In high-class gilt frames the firm introduce constantly large numbers of new and original designs, clever in conception and beautiful in effect.

    Mr. Davidson conducts a large and well-developed trade, which extends its operations to all parts of the United Kingdom.

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