Norah Neilson Gray was a Scottish artist known for her striking portraits, and remarkable ability to capture the essence of the sitter. She achieved international status and recognition during her lifetime, and was one of the most esteemed female painters of the early twentieth century.
Born in 1882 in Helensburgh, Gray began her artistic career at 'The Studio'; a private drawing studio where young ladies received artistic instruction before they were granted entry into the schools of art. The studio received notable visits from 'Glasgow Boy' artists, such as Alexander Roche and John Lavery.
Soon after, in 1901, Neilson gained entry to The Glasgow School of Art. Impressively, whilst still a student, she exhibited at the Salon in Paris, as well as the Glasgow Institute and the Royal Academy, where she was to continue to show until 1926. After graduating in 1906, she stayed at the school to teach fashion and design. By 1910 Gray had her own studio, and held her first solo show at Warneuke's Gallery in Glasgow. Following the outbreak of the First World War, she went to France to work as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse for the Scottish Women's Hospital. During her limited free time she continued to paint, and used her experience to produce some of her most emotionally powerful work.
After the end of the war she returned to Glasgow where she quickly began to receive a large number of commissions for portraits, many from well-known Glaswegians. In the spirit of Gustav Klimt, Gray was known for giving prominence to flowers, textiles and other decorative elements. In 1921 her talent was further recognised when she became the first women to be appointed to the hanging committee of the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts. Following this, her successful career continued, and she regularly exhibited in Scotland, London and Paris. At the time of her early death in 1931, she was considered 'the foremost Scottish female painter'.
