British & International Pictures Sun, 15th Feb 2015 Lot 83

Estimate: £1500 - £2500 + Fees * JAMES COWIE RSA LLD (SCOTTISH 1886 - 1956), ABSTRACT COMPOSITION, UNTITLED oil on board, signed 51cm x 61cm (20 x 24 inches) Framed Note: James Cowie was always fascinated by the way a reflective surface could create an illusion of reality and he constantly experimented with perspective. In this extremely rare example, Cowie has created a near abstract work. It is undated but was probably completed near the end of his career. This is an important work by one of Scotland's most individual and influentiual painters of the 20th century. Born in Aberdeenshire, Cowie studied at and famously completed his Diploma course in a mere two years. He taught at Bellshill Academy, near Glasgow 1915 - 1935 and later became Warden at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath. His style of painting was precise and linear. Cowie was an admirer of Poussin and the Pre-Raphaelite painters and believed in the classical values of self-restraint and objectivity. He had a meticulous way of working and believed that art was a product of thought and reason. His pupils included Robert Colquhoun, Robert MacBryde and Joan Eardley. Thirty-two of James Cowie's paintings are held in Public Collections including at The Tate, The Hunterian, Glasgow Museums & Art Galleries, , The National Galleries of Scotland, City Council, the Royal Scottish Academy, Dundee Art Galleries & Museums, Angus Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Aberdeen Art Galleries & Museums, University of Edinburgh, University of Aberdeen, City of Edinburgh Council and The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Private Edinburgh collection.