Anna Dixon (1873-1959) - Early 20th Century Oil Working The Fields

Description

This pastoral landscape depicts agricultural workers engaged in field labour, rendered in earthy brown and ochre tones that dominate the foreground and middle ground. The composition is anchored by a blue sky dotted with soft white clouds, creating a striking contrast with the darker terrestrial activities below and emphasising the connection between human toil and the natural environment. Signed. Presented in a gilt frame with a cotton slip. On board.

Condition

There is some craquelure to the surface. Surface marks and very small areas of paint loss to the corners. Wear to the frame in areas and some stains to the cotton slip.

Size

23 x 30cm (9.1" x 11.8")
Framed Size: 41 x 47cm (16.1" x 18.5")

Artist Biography

A Scottish-born artist, who studied at the RSA Life School in Edinburgh under E A Walton, Charles Mackie and William Walls. Anna Dixon had an easy, fluent style and specialised in oil and watercolour studies of birds, flowers and figures in landscape. She visited France regularly, and especially enjoyed painting at Concarneau in Brittany, as well as among the crofting settlements of the West coast of Scotland. She frequently painted donkeys and horses, often with children. She exhibited prolifically for 64 years, showing 94 works at the Royal Scottish Academy from 1894–1958, 98 works at the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours, 107 works at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, from 1904–1958, 2 at the RA 1906–7 and also frequently at the Aberdeen Art Society between 1898–1935. Anna Dixon was elected RSW in 1917 and was President of the SSWA from 1930–1942. She lived in Edinburgh all her life and moved in 1940 to 6 Spring Gardens, less than half a mile from the Calton Gallery. She died in Edinburgh on 6th February 1959.