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James Paterson
Autumn in Glencairn, Moniaive1887On Display | NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND
Paterson combines sharp detail in the foreground with softer blended forms in the distance to convey a wonderful sense of space. The beautiful autumn colours, both striking and subtle, are caught in a shimmering light, enhanced by the river's reflection of the cloudy sky. Paterson's decision to move to Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, in 1884 was motivated by the attractive countryside, but also by the appeal of concentrating his creative energies in one place. It proved to be liberating rather than restrictive, as he produced a range of paintings there, including this work, which is considered to be one of his finest.
Details
- Accession no. NG 2424
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 102.00 x 127.00 cm
- Credit Purchased with the aid of the Barrogill Keith Bequest Fund 1984
James Paterson (Scottish, 1854 - 1932)
Paterson is often categorised as one of the so-called Glasgow Boys, but his work differed from that of other artists in this group because he created mainly pure landscapes in which figures only ever played minor roles. After studying at Glasgow School of Art and in Paris, Paterson travelled in France and Italy. He enthusiastically encouraged the publication in 1888, of the short-lived journal 'The Scottish Art Review'. He left Glasgow in 1884, and settled in Moniaive, Dumfriesshire with his wife. Paterson continued his long-established friendship with William York MacGregor and finally moved to Edinburgh in 1905, becoming a prominent member of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Glossary Open
Glasgow Boys
A loose grouping of painters working in Glasgow in the late 19th century. Though there was no overall style or formal membership, they did exhibit together and shared an interest in rural scenes. Artists included John Lavery, Joseph Crawhall and James Guthrie.
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) was formed in Edinburgh in 1826 by Scottish artists who felt alienated by what they perceived as the elitism of the Royal Institution and its management of contemporary art exhibitions. In 1835, the RSA secured exhibition rights in the Royal Institution building, which had been erected on The Mound by the Board of Manufactures in 1826. The RSA and the Board frequently argued over responsibilities for advanced art education. From 1859, the RSA shared the premises of the new National Gallery of Scotland under the Board’s custody. In 1910, after transferring most of its art collections to the Gallery, the RSA gained exclusive tenancy of the former Royal Institution building, where it continues to hold large-scale annual exhibitions.