The White Sands, Iona is an idyllic view of the Hebridean island which inspired the Scottish Colourist F. C. B. Cadell for over twenty years and is the subject of many of his most cherished works.
It was painted before the First World War, during one of his first visits to Iona, which had found favour with a growing number of artists since the mid-nineteenth century. Amongst them were Cadell’s friends John Duncan and James Paterson, who were co-founders with him of the Society of Eight exhibiting society in 1912. He may also have been encouraged to venture there due to his friendship with Ivar Campbell, the nephew of the 9th Duke of Argyll, who owned the island. In turn, Cadell was to introduce his fellow Colourist, S. J. Peploe, to Iona in 1920 and they were both to return virtually every summer for the rest of their lives.
