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William McTaggart
William McTaggart.jpg
Born (1835-10-25)25 October 1835
Campbeltown, Scotland
Died 2 April 1910(1910-04-02) (aged 74)
Lasswade, Scotland
Nationality Scottish
Education Edinburgh College of Art
Known for Landscapes
Spouse(s) Marjorie Henderson
Spring by William McTaggart 1864, NGS
Spring by William McTaggart, 1864

William McTaggart (born October 25, 1835 – died April 2, 1910) was a famous Scottish painter. He was especially known for his beautiful landscape and marine art paintings, which means he loved to paint the sea and the land. His art style was influenced by Impressionism, a way of painting that captures the feeling of a moment.

Discovering William McTaggart: A Scottish Painter

William McTaggart grew up loving the wild beauty of Scotland. His paintings show us the power and peace of nature, especially the sea.

From Croft to Canvas: McTaggart's Early Life

William McTaggart was born in a small village called Aros, near Campbeltown, in a part of Scotland called Kintyre. His father was a crofter, which means he farmed a small piece of land. Growing up so close to the rugged, windy west coast of Scotland, William developed a deep love for the sea. This love later became a huge part of his artwork.

Learning to Paint: His Artistic Journey

When William was 16, he moved to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. There, he studied art at the Trustees' Academy under a teacher named Robert Scott Lauder. He was a very talented student and won many awards. Later, he showed his paintings at the Royal Scottish Academy and became a full member in 1870. This was a big achievement for an artist!

Capturing Light and Sea: McTaggart's Style

At first, William painted mostly people, especially children. But soon, his childhood love for the sea called him back. He started painting landscapes and seascapes, trying to capture how light changed the water and the land. He was inspired by Impressionism, an art style where painters often worked outdoors to quickly capture the "impression" of a scene, focusing on light and color. McTaggart admired artists like Constable and Turner, and you can see similar bold brushstrokes and use of color in his own work.

A Master of Different Mediums

William McTaggart was skilled in using both oil paints and watercolour. Besides the stunning seascapes of Kintyre, he also painted beautiful landscapes in other parts of Scotland, like Midlothian and East Lothian. Many of his later paintings show the Moorfoot Hills, which he could see from his home near Lasswade after he moved there in 1889.

The "Scottish Impressionist"

Because of his unique way of capturing the Scottish landscape and his use of light and color, William McTaggart is often called the "Scottish Impressionist." He is considered one of the best artists to show the true spirit of Scotland's natural beauty.

McTaggart, Through Wind and Rain
Through Wind and Rain, 1875, McManus Galleries, Dundee

Family and Friends in Art

William McTaggart married Marjory Henderson. Her father, Joseph Henderson, was also a painter, and so were her brothers. This meant art was a big part of their family life! William even painted a striking portrait of his father-in-law, which is now in the Glasgow Museum. One of William's own students, James Campbell Noble, also became a well-known Scottish marine painter.

William McTaggart rests in Newington Cemetery in Edinburgh with his family. His papers, which tell us more about his life and work, are kept by the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Local History Society.

The grave of McTaggart and his wife, alongside his daughter, Newington Cemetery
The grave of McTaggart and his wife, alongside his daughter, Newington Cemetery

Famous Works by William McTaggart

Here are some of William McTaggart's most well-known paintings:

  • Spring, 1864
  • Off to the Fishing, 1871
  • Through Wind and Rain, 1875
  • The Bait Gatherers, 1879
  • The Storm, 1890
  • Lobster Fishers Machrihanish Bay, 1909
  • Fisher Boy, 1862
  • John Kelly Stuart, 1879

Explore More

  • List of Scottish artists
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