Skating on Duddingston Loch and Sketches on the Ice 1884

George Lockie made "Skating on Duddingston Loch and Sketches on the Ice," a pencil and gray wash on paper, during a time when leisure activities were increasingly depicted in art as emblems of social life. In this work, Lockie captures a bustling scene of ice skaters, each rendered with individual character. The detailed border humorously frames the central image, portraying various comical mishaps on the ice, from tumbles to near collisions. It offers a snapshot into the 19th-century Scottish culture, reflecting the communal spirit of the time, while also subtly hinting at the class distinctions present. The detailed rendering of each figure, from their clothing to their expressions, creates a vivid sense of immersion. The artwork reflects the era’s interest in capturing the essence of everyday life, presenting a narrative that’s as much about the joy of communal activity as it is about the individual experiences within it.