THE National Galleries of Scotland has welcomed a painting by Glasgow Boys artist Joseph Crawhall to its collection.
Part of the rebellious group of artists, Crawhall is most well known for his watercolour technique and wildlife subjects, and the 1906 Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries is the latest addition to an extensive collection.
The Edinburgh galleries are already home to around 40 examples of his work, including sketches, illustrated letters sent to his fellow Glasgow Boys as they challenged the art culture of the capital, and his popular painting The White Drake.
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Charlotte Topsfield, a senior curator at the national galleries, said: “Re-united at the National, these two outstanding watercolours demonstrate the evolution of Crawhall’s technique and his uncanny ability to capture the beauty of animals and birds.”
Often, the artist would study animals for many hours before returning to his studio to create the works from memory with highly praised accuracy.
Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries was made on linen with bodycolour, which is watercolour mixed with white paint, and was inspired by the Chinese wash drawings on silk that the artist admired.
Other influences, such as the use of black brushstrokes to texture the feathers, were drawn from Japanese print tradition.
This piece came to the galleries through the acceptance in lieu scheme, where instead of paying inheritance tax, people can donate important cultural, historic or scientific objects.
Christina McKelvie, culture minister, said: “As a prominent member of the Glasgow Boys, Crawhall’s brilliant work is already well-represented in the galleries and this latest outstanding addition will further enrich our understanding of this wonderful Scottish artist and Scottish art of the period.”
A panel determined the pheasant piece to be worth £42,000 of tax, due to this cultural and educational significance.
Helen Birchenough, panel chair, said: “It is in brilliant condition and will help to enhance the National Galleries of Scotland’s representation of Crawhall. I hope that this example will encourage others to use the scheme and continue to support our national collections.”
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