JOHN MCNAIRN (SCOTTISH 1910-2009)
A HARBOUR SCENE
£525
Scottish Contemporary & Post-War Art
Auction: 25 August 2011 at 10:00 BST
Description
Oil on board
Dimensions
50cm x 81cm (19.7in x 31.9in)
Footnote
Born in the Scottish Borders in 1910, John McNairn enjoyed a long and fruitful artistic career. He began his training at Edinburgh College of Art in 1927 (a particularly productive and exciting time in the College’s history), before continuing his studies in Paris at the Académie Scandinave under Othon Friesz. While the most talented students of the College had traditionally undertaken further study abroad, his choice of the Académie was somewhat unusual, yet allowed him to pursue his interest in Post-Impressionism and a direct and truthful style of painting. Whilst in
Paris he would meet Robin John, Julian Trevelyan, and S.W. Hayter, developing friendships which would be influential in the shaping of his artistic career. McNairn would later travel extensively in Spain, and served in India during WWII. Upon his return he would become Head of Art at Selkirk High School, also meeting his wife, fellow artist Stella McNairn, with whom he founded a gallery. John McNairn passed away in 2009.