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My Mother, 1916

Artist: Gillies, William George, Sir, CBE RA RSA PPRSW · 1898-1973

My Mother, 1916

Painted when the artist was 18 years of age, in the year that he completed his studies at Knox Academy in his native Haddington, and commenced the…

Painted when the artist was 18 years of age, in the year that he completed his studies at Knox Academy in his native Haddington, and commenced the first of his two terms at Edinburgh College of Art before military service interrupted his studies there.

It is an early example of Gillies' use of oil paint which he was taught by Robert A Dakers the editor of the Haddingtonshire Courier.

The painting has subsequently been crudely cut down and pasted to a wooden board by the artist.

The sitter was aged just 52 years old when this portrait was painted.

© Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture