“ In 1866 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1874 received full academical honours in succession to Sir Edwin Landseer. His diploma picture was "Jacobites, 1745." Pettie was a hard and rapid worker, and, in his best days, a colourist of a high order and a brilliant executant. ”

“ When sixteen he entered the Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh, working under Robert Scott Lauder with W. Q. Orchardson, J. MacWhirter, W. M'Taggart, Peter Graham, Tom Graham and G. P. Chalmers. His first exhibits at the Royal Scottish Academy were "A Scene from the Fortunes of Nigel"—one of the many subjects for which he sought inspiration in the novels of Sir Walter Scott—and two portraits in 1858, followed in 1859 by "The Prison Pet." To the Royal Academy in 1860 he sent "The Armourers" ”

“ His principal paintings, in addition to those already mentioned, are "Cromwell's Saints" (1862) , "The Trio" (1863) ; "George Fox refusing to take the Oath" (1864) ; "A Drumhead Courtmartial" (1865) ; "The Arrest for Witchcraft" (1866) ;"Treason" (1867, now in the Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield) ; "Tussle with a Highland Smuggler" (1868) ; "The Sally" (1870) ”