James achieved high status in art

The Viator • Published 30 Jul 2009 14:00

GREENOCK'S history may be steeped in shipbuilding and other forms of heavy industry, but it has also produced many people who achieved high status in the fields of art, literature and music.

One such individual was the painter James Guthrie who was born in 1859. His father was a minister in the town.

Guthrie graduated from Glasgow University with a Master of Arts degree and had intended to pursue a legal career.

Instead, he became associated with the 'Glasgow Boys', a group of young artists who formed a unique school of painting, with landscapes featuring strongly in their work.

Guthrie was largely self taught but he also studied in London and Paris. He was influenced by Constable and Whistler but had a distinct style of his own.

Many of his early works were landscapes and outdoor scenes. He painted 'The Highland Funeral' when he was 22 - it is to be found in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery - and a year later produced his famous 'To Pastures New' which is more commonly known as 'The Goose Girl'.

In 1888 Guthrie was the first of the 'Glasgow Boys' to be elected to the Royal Scottish Academy.

Guthrie was only 43 when in 1902 he became president of the RSA. He received a knighthood that same year.

He died at Rhu in 1930.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 30 Jul 09

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