Glasgow owes a debt of gratitude to all who ensured that Glasgow`s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses great works of art as well as items of historic and scientific interest. Each year it attracts thousands of visitors, both local and from overseas, to view the art and artifacts made freely available to all. Many Glaswegians will testify to the wonders within. It was the one place children could wander unescorted when the notion, or bad weather, took them there. Just as long as they did not use the revolving doors: they were for adults and accompanied children only!
`Old Willie: The Village Worthy` by Sir James Guthrie 1859-1930
In Glasgow`s world renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum sits a small, and some may say unassuming, portrait. It hangs among priceless works of art from many countries, created by world famous artists. The portrait is of a working man painted without adornment, unlike some of the imposing portraits of the great and the good! Yet this small painting displays great majesty and speaks volumes of the sitter and the artist.
The portrait is an oil on canvas of `Old Willie: The Village Worthy`painted by Sir James Guthrie. What is amazing about it, apart from the high status and talent of the artist, is that it is of a working class person who has been given the same attention and dignity as those of high status.
The artist Sir James Guthrie 1859-1930
James Guthrie was a Greenock lad born in 1859, studying law at Glasgow University before turning to art. He was apprentice to John Pettie and trained in the traditional art style of the time. However, a visit to France in 1882 changed all when he fell under the influence of naturalistic painters like Bastien-Lepage who successfully captured local village life in a natural style, unusual subject matter and method at that time. Bastien-Lepage`s influence can be seen in Guthrie`s early rural works.
On returning to Scotland, Guthrie dedicated himself to painting directly from nature as well and rapidly established a reputation as a successful portrait painter. So successful was he that in 1902 Guthrie became president of the Royal Scottish Academy and was knighted in 1903. In 1920 he was honoured with the award of the Cross of Commander of the Order of the Crown by the King of Belgium.
The Glasgow Boys
James Guthrie was one of the influential Glasgow Boys, a group of artists and designers working in Glasgow in the late 19th century. The Glasgow Boys captured in an authentic style the everyday life and work of the people who lived on the land. They painted, often outdoors and directly onto canvas, contemporary rural subjects – revolutionary for the time. Yes! Real people in a real environment!
The importance of the Glasgow Boys cannot be underestimated and their influence has resonated through time. They represent the beginnings of modernism in Scottish art, producing bold and pioneering works which paved the way for future generations of artists. Their work and influence empowered future artists to explore and experiment with colour, new ideas, and to look beyond the constricting ideas and ideals of the past. Their enduring legacy is that they shone a light on Glasgow, establishing it as a serious and innovative artistic centre. That light still shines despite the often lack of attention to its flame!
Kirkcudbright – the artists’ town
Many great artists including the Glasgow Boys painted in Kirkcudbright, a beautiful town on the River Dee on the Galloway coast. It became an artists’ colony where artists gathered to paint the scenery as well as local people going about their everyday lives. It was here that Guthrie came across Old Willie and with him as his subject, painted his last Naturalist masterpiece. And the portrait he painted is indeed a masterpiece! It not only honours Willie, but his hometown Kirkcudbright by placing its name centre stage on the canvas.
The sitter – Old Willie
The old adage states that a picture paints a thousand words and this is wonderfully illustrated in Old Willie`s portrait. We know little of Willie from written records, however, the painting tells us much. In `Old Willie: The Village Worthy`, we see a portrait of a real person looking out at us and at ease in his own environment.
The strength and endurance of Guthrie`s portrait is its honesty and realism. Guthrie did not flatter his sitter; he had no need to as Old Willie was obviously a strong character without need of embellishment! Instead, he has given us a respectful portrait of Willie dressed in his ordinary clothes with his life and hard work etched in the lines of his weather-beaten face. Set against a simple whitewashed wall, the portrait is enhanced with clear light and a simple palette, detracting nothing from the quiet dignity of Willie`s personality and life. Another adage springs to mind: honesty is the best policy, and it is aptly illustrated here!
Guthrie gave Wille the respect he deserves, and without words told us much of the man.
Glasgow honours art
Sir James Guthrie has left us a portrait of a real person in his own environment whose face tells a great life story. He has illustrated wonderfully that clothes do not make the man nor do jewels define his worth! The quiet simplicity of this wonderful, honest, unadorned painting is a powerful image of one person who tells the story of the many who made Scotland – and Glasgow – great! To Glasgow`s great credit, and taste, it saw the value of this small painting and purchased it in 1974. A fitting tribute to Willie.
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