October in the Highlands (date unlisted) by Scottish artist of the Glasgow School, Norah Neilson Gray (1882-1931) considered, at the time of her death aged only forty-eight, the foremost Scottish woman painter.
Watercolour on paper, 46 x 34 cm, 18 x 14 in approx
Norah Neilson Gray was also one of the Glasgow Girls, along with Bessie MacNicol, Jessie Marion King, Margaret and Frances Macdonald, Helen Paxton Brown, Stansmore Dean, and Annie French. The term ‘Glasgow Girls’ was coined by William Buchanan in an essay he contributed to the catalogue for a 'Glasgow Boys' exhibition held in 1968. Though he was using this title to indicate that these artists were the female equivalents of their well-known male counterparts, it does not reflect the personal and professional complexity of this group. They pursued different styles and worked in a range of art forms, experimenting with mixed media in a way that the Glasgow Boys generally did not, their works often being far more challenging and unusual. Some formed discreet groups while others chose to work alone. Even residence in Glasgow was not a unifying factor as many lived and worked elsewhere in Scotland. They were connected, however, through shared experiences and their continued efforts to support one another.
October in the Highlands strongly evokes the ghostly Celtic Revival influences also visible in Margaret Macdonald’s glasswork.
...has a lovely arts and crafts feel.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty painting, I like the colors. It is sad the artist died so young.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a wonderful weekend.