Grand Hall and its hidden mural
The updated text concerning the mural in the Grand Hall was researched and written by Dr. Beverly Bergman. This new documented information changes what was previously believed and how wonderful it would be if at least part of the mural could be revealed to show the grandeur of the Grand Hall in the past.
The Grand Hall has a hidden mural beneath the woodchip wallpaper which was discovered in 2003 during renovation work, when these photographs were taken. Unfortunately, due to ongoing Hall commitments at the time, it was not possible to undertake a full investigation so the small areas of the mural that had been exposed were covered with conservation materials and papered over again.
At the time, it was believed by experts that the mural had been painted in the 1830s by the celebrated painter David Ramsay Hay (1798-1866), who had developed an innovative theory of colour harmony and had carried out the interior decorations at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Fresh evidence has recently come to light that it was in fact painted between September and December 1855 by Campbell Tait Bowie (1825-1896), who had been apprenticed to David Ramsay Hay as a young man but who had established his own business in Glasgow in 1850. Bowie was a talented and successful painter and decorator who also worked with Alexander “Greek” Thomson on buildings including Holmwood House, where his artwork has recently undergone restoration.
A contemporaneous description of the mural reveals that it comprises a series of large painted panels depicting allegorical figures representing Charity, Science, Justice, Plenty, Commerce and Peace, separated by smaller panels with images of birds, one of which can be seen in the photographs, and much else. It was regarded as a work of great beauty, reflecting “the highest credit on the artistic skill” of Mr Bowie. It is clear that the modern plasterwork conceals one of the finest surviving examples of the work of this important artist, and we hope that it can be properly examined and restored in due course so that visitors to Trades Hall can again enjoy what was once a magnificent work of art.
Beverly Bergman
2025
The Grand Hall has a hidden mural beneath the woodchip wallpaper which was discovered in 2003 during renovation work, when these photographs were taken. Unfortunately, due to ongoing Hall commitments at the time, it was not possible to undertake a full investigation so the small areas of the mural that had been exposed were covered with conservation materials and papered over again.
At the time, it was believed by experts that the mural had been painted in the 1830s by the celebrated painter David Ramsay Hay (1798-1866), who had developed an innovative theory of colour harmony and had carried out the interior decorations at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Fresh evidence has recently come to light that it was in fact painted between September and December 1855 by Campbell Tait Bowie (1825-1896), who had been apprenticed to David Ramsay Hay as a young man but who had established his own business in Glasgow in 1850. Bowie was a talented and successful painter and decorator who also worked with Alexander “Greek” Thomson on buildings including Holmwood House, where his artwork has recently undergone restoration.
A contemporaneous description of the mural reveals that it comprises a series of large painted panels depicting allegorical figures representing Charity, Science, Justice, Plenty, Commerce and Peace, separated by smaller panels with images of birds, one of which can be seen in the photographs, and much else. It was regarded as a work of great beauty, reflecting “the highest credit on the artistic skill” of Mr Bowie. It is clear that the modern plasterwork conceals one of the finest surviving examples of the work of this important artist, and we hope that it can be properly examined and restored in due course so that visitors to Trades Hall can again enjoy what was once a magnificent work of art.
Beverly Bergman
2025