JAMES KAY R.S.A., R.S.W. (SCOTTISH 1858-1942)
DEPARTURE FROM THE CLYDE - BOUND FOR THE FRONT
£16,000
Scottish Paintings & Sculpture
Auction: 10 December 2015 at 18:00 GMT
Description
Signed, signed and inscribed verso, oil on canvas
Dimensions
76cm x 127cm (30in x 50in)
Footnote
Exhibited: Fine Art Society Ltd, 1977
Note: Born on the Isle of Arran, Scottish artist James Kay is arguably best known for his portrayals of the sea and the ships at work on the River Clyde, Glasgow. Working in Glasgow at the same time as the Glasgow Boys rose to prominence, Kay remained on the edges of this group. Unlike his peers, Kay continued to gain great pleasure from painting the busy, gritty streets and shipyards of the 'real' Glasgow. Like many other artists at the time, Kay was influenced by the Impressionists, but a great deal of originality can be seen in his paintings. He also equipped with the ability to reflect life and capture atmosphere in his work.
The bustling shipyards of the Clyde provided Kay with great inspiration, and as can be seen in "Departure from the Clyde - Bound for the front", he was able to convey the drama of industrialisation through the smoke, grime, and water. Kay's informal style captures the activity and spectacle of the docks - there is a sense of optimism from the tightly grouped figures watching the ships depart, and the unusual composition enhances our sense as a viewer of being in the thick of the action, providing a true reflection of life in Glasgow at the time.