JOHN CRAXTON, PAINTED HARPSICHORD, DATED 1976. oil on harpsichord case, signed and dated `76 on t

JOHN CRAXTON, PAINTED HARPSICHORD, DATED 1976. oil on harpsichord case, signed and dated `76 on the inside lid, 230cm long, 91cm high, 90cm wide, Note: This instrument was manufactured by John Barnes of Edinburgh for the Hope Scott Trust in 1976/7. In 1973 the Trust were approached by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble for help to fund the purchase of a new harpsichord to which the y agreed. Mr Barnes was commissioned to build a two-manual instruments in the style of Joannes Ruckers as adapted by French makers in the 1730s. A trustees meeting in July 1974 it was decided to ask four artists if they would be interested in decorating the case. The artists were Alexander Zyw, James Morrison, John Craxton and Barbara Balmer. Having considered the submitted designs the trustees chose Craxton to decorate the case. Both case and instrument were completed by August 1977 and the instrument was given on permanent loan to the Scottish Baroque Ensemble for its first performance at the Signet Library in Edinburgh in November 1977, to great acclaim. The instrument is no longer suitable for professional use, however the case by John Craxton remains in excellent condition.