Scottish Art - The Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists
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With a new generation of Glasgow artists blazing a trail, it’s all too easy to forget the ‘Glasgow Boys’ of 100 years ago.
The Scottish Art gallery at Kelvingrove helps rekindle affection and appreciation for works by names such as John Lavery, George Henry, E.A. Walton and E.A. Hornel.
Among the important paintings on display are ‘The 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition’ by John Lavery and ‘The Druids – bringing in the mistletoe’ by Henry and Hornel.
Working at roughly the same time as the architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, ‘the Glasgow Boys’ revolutionised Scottish painting from 1880 until about 1895.
They rebelled against traditional Victorian sentimentality and painted everyday subjects in a fresh, new way, often capturing their subjects by painting out of doors.
Their young, rebellious phase only last 15 years, however, as many of them became traditional society painters.
A little later than the ‘Glasgow Boys’, a group of painters comprising JD Fergusson, SJ Peploe, FCB Cadell and Leslie Hunter became known as the Scottish Colourists.
Painting at the beginning of the 20th century, their style was influenced by travelling to France and studying the world of artists such as Cézanne, Matisse and Derain.
As the name suggests, paintings by the Scottish Colourists - with their free and vigorous style and bright colours - have the power to brighten even the darkest day.