Early Life and Education
- Born: February 20, 1926, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom
- Died: February 20, 1998 (aged 72)
- Nationality: Scottish
- Attended Queen's Park School in Glasgow.
- Served as a Bevin Boy in the mines of West Lothian during World War II; early works depict mining scenes and portraits.
- Studied English and History at Glasgow University before focusing on Fine Art.
- Studied at Edinburgh College of Art (1947-52), influenced by Anne Redpath, William Gillies, John Maxwell, and Robert Henderson Blyth.
- Awarded a travelling scholarship in 1952-3 and an Andrew Grant Fellowship in 1955-7, leading to periods working in Spain, Italy, Sicily, and Norway.
Artistic Style and Development
- Early work influenced by Surrealism and Cubism.
- Developed a rich Colourist style, often referencing French Post-Impressionists like Matisse, Gauguin, Picasso, Braque, Chagall, and Redon.
- Known for vibrant still lifes, nudes, landscapes, and family portraits.
- Style evolved over time, influenced by John Maxwell in the 1960s.
- Celebratory of good things in life and nature; informed by art history, literature, and music.
Career and Teaching
- Taught painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (1958-1985).
- Became Head of Painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1983, succeeding Alberto Morrocco.
- Reputation as an inspirational and caring teacher; known for opening the minds of students.
- Wrote a monograph on the painter John Maxwell.
Major Achievements and Recognition
- Elected to the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) in 1971.
- Exhibited widely in group shows in Scotland and internationally.
- Held numerous one-man exhibitions, including at the Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, and Thackeray Gallery, London.
- Commissioned for the reconstruction of the King's Room at Falkland Palace, Fife (murals and ceiling paintings).
- Received the Guthrie Award in 1956.
Legacy and Historical Significance
- Considered a significant figure within the Scottish Colourist tradition.
- His work reflects a deep appreciation for colour, light, and form.
- Remembered as an influential teacher who fostered creativity in his students.
- Continues to be exhibited and collected by art enthusiasts and institutions.
Questions & Answers
Where can I see the color profile of David McClure's work?
David McClure's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.
Where can I find statistics about David McClure's works?
A Stats page exists for David McClure, presenting statistics about the artist's artworks on this website.
Is there a complete list of David McClure's artworks?
Every work by David McClure on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
Can I browse David McClure's works by medium?
To find all works by David McClure in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.
Where is David McClure from?
David McClure was born in United Kingdom.
Is there a timeline of David McClure's works?
A timeline of David McClure's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.
Where are David McClure's artworks grouped by art movement?
The All Movements page groups David McClure's artworks by art movement.
How did David McClure's art evolve over time?
A chronological account of David McClure's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.
