MEFFAN EXHIBITION OF JAMES WATTERSTON HERALD
THE latest exhibition at The Meffan in Forfar is by the popular Angus artist James Watterston Herald, who was born in Forfar in 1859.
From a young age James was encouraged to pursue his artistic ambitions and over the years his interests developed into an outstanding talent.
He studied art at the High School of Dundee where he was regarded as a most promising pupil. He acquired a local reputation for his fine drawing skills and it became obvious he had the artistic ability to make a career from his talent.
He was encouraged to continue his art studies and he moved with his parents to Edinburgh in order to give him a better chance in his career. The city made a great impression on James and he produced an impressive body of work, mainly inspired by the streets and closes of Edinburgh's Old Town.
It was during this time in Edinburgh that Herald's work began to meet with critical acclaim. Several of his works were exhibited by the Royal Scottish Academy and a painting was purchased by the Scottish Society for the Promotion of Fine Arts.
His work began to move towards impressionism and he became fascinated by the paintings of Arthur Melville, one of the 'Glasgow Boys', who was himself originally from Angus. Both artists used the 'blottesque' technique where drops of pigment are applied to wet paper and manipulated with sponges and brushstrokes.
Herald moved to Arbroath around 1888, and in 1891, with the proceeds of his painting, Herald enrolled at Herkomer's School of Art at Bushey in Hertfordshire to continue his studies.
Herald then moved to London and enjoyed the Bohemian life it offered. He was charmed by the city and immersed himself in his work with great vigour, filling his sketch books with impressions of London streets, the river, the wharves and the characters which inhabited them.
Herald returned to Arbroath around 1900 after ten years in London, contentedly painting, drawing and sketching the world around him. This period in Herald's career witnessed some of his greatest artistic successes, and in 1910 a one-man exhibition of his watercolours and pastels was shown at the Baillie Gallery in London. It was a great success and two of the exhibits were bought for presentation to the British Museum and a third for the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Herald was to remain in Arbroath for the rest of his life, content to earn no more than a living. He was uninterested in personal gain and refused to capitalise on his work, often giving away his paintings and paying for drinks and meals with tiny ink or pencil drawings. His final years were spent in gradual physical decline. He fell ill in 1914 and died at the age of 55, and was laid to rest in Arbroath.
Today the reputation of James Watterston Herald continues to grow and his works can be found hanging on the walls of many homes and galleries throughout his native Scotland and beyond.
He is known for his complete command of watercolour and masterly use of pastel, with an emphasis on decorative colour, subtle tone and harmony of composition. His work remains extremely popular and is often of a delicate nature, capturing reflected light and luminosity.
His subject matter was extensive, from figure and portraiture to land and seascapes. Herald saw in light and colour, never in outline, and his work is filled with hints and suggestions of the subject matter, often conveying more to the viewer than a realistic painting.
The exhibition at The Meffan opened last Saturday and runs until Saturday, March 13.
It is a chance to see Angus Council's entire permanent collection of work by this popular artist.
A full colour catalogue will accompany the exhibition.
In addition there will be a gallery talk on Herald's work by Norman Atkinson on February 24 at 10am. Admission is free and there is no need to book.
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Weather for Brechin
Thursday 09 February 2012
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