James Guthrie (artist) facts for kids
Sir James Guthrie (born June 10, 1859 – died September 6, 1930) was a very important Scottish painter. He was part of a group called the Glasgow Boys. During his life, he was most famous for painting portraits of people. Today, he is also known for his "Scottish Realism" style, which means he painted things as they really looked.
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Becoming an Artist
James Guthrie was born in Greenock, Scotland. He was the youngest son of a minister, John Guthrie. When he was young, he started studying law at Glasgow University. But in 1877, he decided he loved painting more! So, he stopped studying law and became an artist instead.
Unlike many artists back then, James didn't go to Paris to study art. He mostly taught himself. He did get some help from other painters like James Drummond in Glasgow and John Pettie in London. In 1879, he moved to London to learn more about painting. He often painted outdoors in places like Rosneath, Helensburgh, and especially Cockburnspath.
Life as a Painter
Guthrie spent most of his life in the Scottish Borders. From 1883, he lived in Cockburnspath, a village in Berwickshire. This is where he created some of his most famous artworks. These include A Hind's Daughter (1883) and Schoolmates (1884).
He was very inspired by French "Realist" painters, especially Jules Bastien-Lepage. These artists tried to paint life exactly as it was. James Guthrie was also a key member of the group known as the Glasgow Boys. This group of artists wanted to bring new ideas to Scottish art.
In 1888, James Guthrie became an associate member of the Royal Scottish Academy. This is a special group for artists in Scotland. He became a full member in 1892. In 1902, he was chosen to be the president of the Royal Scottish Academy. This was a big honor! After this, he moved with his family from Glasgow to Edinburgh. In 1903, he was given the title of "Sir," which means he was knighted.
Famous Paintings and Awards
In 1919, a rich man from South Africa asked Guthrie to paint a very important picture. It was a group portrait of 17 important politicians and leaders from Britain and its allies during World War I. This painting, called Statesmen of World War I, was finished in 1930, just before Guthrie passed away. It was given to the National Portrait Gallery, London. Guthrie also made 17 smaller oil studies for this painting, which are now in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Because of his amazing work, the King of Belgium gave Guthrie a special award in 1920. It was called the Cross of Commander of the Order of the Crown. In 1921, he also joined a new group called the Society of Graphic Art.
Family Life
In the late 1880s, James Guthrie met Helen Newton Whitelaw. She was a wealthy widow. They got married in 1897. In 1899, their son, Thomas Whitelaw Boyd Guthrie, was born in London. Sadly, Helen passed away from cancer in 1912 when she was 52 years old.
James Guthrie died in 1930. His grave in Rhu was designed by a famous architect named Alexander Nisbet Paterson.
Important Portraits
By 1885, James Guthrie was known as a very good portrait painter. Later in his life, he mostly painted portraits. Many rich and famous people asked him to paint their pictures. Here are some of the well-known people he painted:
- Herbert Henry Asquith, who was a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Arthur James Balfour, another Prime Minister.
- Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who was also a Prime Minister.
- Sir Robert Laird Borden, the Prime Minister of Canada.
- Sir Winston Churchill, who would later become a very famous Prime Minister during World War II.
- David Lloyd George, another Prime Minister.
- Field Marshal Haig, a famous military leader.
- Bonar Law, who was also a Prime Minister.
- William Ferguson Massey, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
- Schoolmates (1884), a painting that is now in a museum in Ghent, Belgium.
