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A moment in time
(2013)
Subject: Peppered Moth
Dimensions (inches): 13 x 9
Medium: oil on board
Description:
You may wonder why I was drawn to paint an old whiskey sign. Firstly, the colours attracted my attention, then the name Findlater...who was he? I did a little research and was intrigued by a story of a 26 year old man who left Scotland in the hope of making a better life for himself. The city he chose to come to, Dublin, his prime business, trading whisky. His arrival in 1823 was perfect timing, spirit duties at this time had been reduced by half in order to suppress illicit trading. Also it coincided with the foundation of the first Catholic Association headed by Daniel O'Connell in his campaign for Catholic emancipation. Why was this so important? Because Findlater's store was located nearby the meeting place of the association which along with O'Connell was visited by some of the foremost politicians of the day. So not only was he there at the right time, his store was in the most perfect location.
Within a few years, his business began to flourish. Over the next 30 years Findlater expanded his business, opening more stores and entering partnerships with other businessmen. It was said he was a man with an ‘exceedingly good judge of character enabling him to place implicit trust in all those whom he selected'. At his time of death, he was involved in no fewer than 22 partnerships.
Alexander was also a man of great generosity, contributing to as many as 150 charitable organisations each year. The Dublin hospitals in particular benefited greatly from both volunteered time and financial donations. Findlater was also the sole benefactor in building St. Mary's Church in Parnell Square, otherwise known as Findlater's Church. In the final four years of his life he gave away almost 2 million pounds (equivalent to 2001 values) to various charities of all creeds. Unfortunately I do not have space to list his generous acts, but safe to say his presence in Dublin had a tremendous impact in the city.
Although Findlater remained unmarried, he played a crucial role in the upbringing of his 9 nephews and nieces. Educated and with financial support from their uncle, they too went on to be an influence within Dublin's society. Most notably his nephew Billy became a successful solicitor and MP supporting Gladstone in the passing of the land act securing rights for tenant farmers.
Did you see the moth? How does that relate to the Findlater story?
The moth is a Peppered Moth, one of the most studied moths in all of history. It first came to light in the studies of Darwin, claiming to be evidence of evolution. However many scientists have proved without doubt that that is not the case,
The Peppered Moth has two variations of colour, the white moth speckled with black and the completely black moth. It's a pretty ordinary little moth flying at night and resting on tree trunks during the day, using its colour for camouflage against the lichens on the tree. However the black moth has an interesting story. When the effects of the industrial revolution took hold, air quality was at its lowest. The buildings and trees were covered in a thick soot. The white Peppered Moth no longer had the colouring to fit within its surroundings and were often eaten by birds. The black moth however thrived because it now perfectly fitted within its environment. The black moth increased in number until it was the more dominant colour.
Then in 1956, the clean air act was passed by government reducing the levels of pollution from the large factories. This had a huge impact on the black moth. Their numbers began to decline whilst the white moth began to recover .
‘What's the point' you may ask?
The black moth thrived because it was perfectly fitted to the time, the place and the circumstances. Findlater thrived for the same reasons; he was born for that time, for that place, to do what he did. He fitted perfectly, he flourished in every area of his life, impacting the community around him and further afield. On the 14th August, 1873,The Irish Times wrote an article following his death giving evidence to this:
'Today closes the grave of one of the most enterprising, spirited and successful merchants of this city. Although Alexander Findlater was a Scotsman born, once he settled among us, he became as Irish as an Irishman.......At the time of his decease he was a partner, and that to a considerable amount in firms carrying on extensive business in London, Manchester, Brighton, Dublin and Kingstown. All of them are prosperous and flourishing.... The biography of such a man must produce rich fruit, for example always is more impressive that precept.......To young men entering upon business, no life is calculated to give more encouragement or better counsel than that of Alexander Findlater.' Quite an accolade!!
Original Available For Sale:
No
Limited Edition Available:
No
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