Bessie MacNicol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bessie MacNicol
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| Born |
Elizabeth MacNicol
5 July 1869 |
| Died | 4 June 1904 (aged 34) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Education | Glasgow School of Art |
| Known for | painting |
| Movement | Glasgow Style, Impressionism |
| Spouse(s) | Alexander Frew |
Elizabeth "Bessie" MacNicol (1869–1904) was a talented Scottish painter. She was a key member of the "Glasgow Girls." This was a group of female artists connected to the famous Glasgow School of art.
Early Life and Art Training
Bessie MacNicol was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 5, 1869. Her father, Peter MacNicol, was a teacher and school principal. Bessie grew up with two sisters, and they all loved music.
She began her art journey at the Glasgow School of Art. She studied there from 1887 to 1892. After that, she went to Paris, France, to continue her art education. She studied at the Académie Colarossi. This was one of the first art schools in Paris where women could train alongside men. Bessie was part of a new wave of women artists. These artists traveled from the United Kingdom to improve their skills.
Art Career and Style
After her studies, Bessie MacNicol returned to Scotland. She set up her own art studio in Glasgow. In 1893, she showed her painting Fifeshire Interior at the Royal Scottish Academy. She also exhibited Study of a Head at the Royal Glasgow Institute.
Bessie's paintings were influenced by several art styles. She used the plein air tradition. This means painting outdoors to capture natural light. She was also inspired by Impressionism. This style focuses on capturing the feeling of a moment. She admired artists like James Abbott McNeill Whistler.
Bessie was known for her amazing use of color, light, and texture. Her portraits were admired for their strong design and deep feeling. She often painted young, stylish women outdoors. She used unique dappled shadows from leaves. This created a strong pattern of light and dark in her work.
During her lifetime, her art was shown in Scotland and London. It was also displayed in several cities across Europe and America. Bessie MacNicol died in Glasgow on June 4, 1904, at the age of 34. Because she died young, not many of her works or papers are known today.
The Glasgow Girls
Today, Bessie MacNicol is known as one of the "Glasgow Girls." This important group included other talented artists. Some of these were Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, Frances MacDonald, and Jessie M. King.
The Glasgow Girls were featured in a special exhibition in 1990. This show traveled to different places. It helped people learn more about their amazing contributions to art. You can see Bessie MacNicol's work in museums today. Her paintings are held at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow.
- Paintings by Bessie MacNicol
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E.A. Hornel, 1896
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In the Park, date unknown
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French Girl, 1895
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Self-portrait, 1894
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Autumn, 1898
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A Girl of the Sixties, 1899
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Under the Apple Tree, 1899
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The Fur Coat, date unknown
See also
In Spanish: Bessie MacNicol para niños
