Study Day with Harry Fletcher at Rushall Village Hall
The Glasgow Boys, the Glasgow Girls, the Scottish Colourists, the French connection and four inventions which made it all possible
The Glasgow Boys rebelled against views of heather-covered highlands, favoured by the Academy in Edinburgh. Inspired by Lepage and Whistler, France and Japanese art they painted people going about everyday tasks. They painted out of doors, using the vital 1841 invention. Their work is a delight to see.
I will look at the excellent paintings of women artists such as Margaret and Frances McDonald, Eleanor Moore, Bessie McNicol and Norah Gray. They had to knock quite a lot harder to open doors to galleries and collectors. Peploe, Cadell, Ferguson and Hunter shared a love of vibrant colour, which they gained when they trained in France and were inspired by Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Matisse and Derain. Four inventions in the nineteenth century, all within 20 years of each other, changed the history of art. All the Scottish artists benefitted.