James Riddel (1857-1928)
| Artist Name | James Riddel (1857-1928) |
|---|---|
| Title | The Young Art Critics |
| Description | This lovely Edwardian exhibited portrait landscape oil painting is by noted Scottish artist James Riddel. It was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1909 and again in Glasgow Institute in 1913, entitled The Critics. Painted circa 1909, the painting has the muted tones but varied palette of the Scottish School. The focus of the composition is a young boy and girl stood in the foreground, outdoors, examining a painting in progress on an easel. They look as if they are giving it very careful consideration. The artist's bag, brushes and tubes of paint lie on the grass beneath the easel but he is not in view. The painting is of the countryside and path leading to a collection of dwellings beyond, all bathed in sunshine. The earnestness of the young art critics can be seen in their body language and is very sweet. A really lovely exhibited Scottish Impressionist Edwardian oil painting and an excellent example of Riddel's work. Signed lower right. |
| Provenance | Exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy 1909 no. 294, entitled The Critics. Exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts 1913 no. 420 entitled The Critics. Aitken Dott & Son (The Scottish Gallery), Castle Street, Edinburgh. Paisley Art Institute Exhibition, inscribed with title, artist's name, address and cat no. 2. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 24 x 24 inches |
| Frame | Housed in a beautiful gilt frame, 32 inches by 32 inches and in good condition. |
| Condition | Good condition. |
| Biography | James Riddel (1857 - 1928) (aka James Alick Riddel) was born in Glasgow and trained at the Glasgow School of Art. He became Head of the Art Department at Heriot Watt College (now University) in Edinburgh. He worked in Scotland, Holland, Belgium and Canada. His seaside and coastal scenes were popular and he exhibited widely including at Royal Academy (London); Royal Scottish Academy; Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours and at the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts. Riddel was Treasurer of the RSW for many years. He painted a series of impressive genre scenes in the latter part of his career which were enthusiastically received by collectors. He died at Balerno, near Edinburgh in 1928. |
| Price | £14000 |
