(Enlarged Photo)




David Alison R.S.A; R.P (1882-1955)

Violet Anderson

Oil on canvas, signed c.1928

David Alison was a leading Scottish artist of portraits and interiors, who studied at Glasgow School of Art, where he won two travelling scholarships (the Haldane and Carnegie) for further study in Paris and Italy. In Paris, he became friends with his close Scottish contemporary, Francis Cadell, who introduced him to the other 'Scottish Colourist', Samuel Peploe. Back in Scotland, Alison again teamed up with Cadell in the 'Society of Eight', a group of artists that attempted to span the artistic divide between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The 'Eight' included John Lavery, Patrick Adam and Peploe. The influence of the colourists can clearly be seen in this stylish portrait of Violet Anderson, the daughter of painter, William Anderson. Violet would later go on, like Alison, to study at the Glasgow School of Art, and become a notable painter under her married name, Naish. Alison's portraits and moody, stylish interiors were something of an institution in the early to middle years of the last century: he exhibited over 40 pictures at the Royal Academy, double that number at the Royal Scottish Academy and was awarded a Silver Medal at the Paris Salon.
 
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