RSA Scottish Art
Rossie Braes
 | Artist: James Morrison |
| Title: Rossie Braes | |
| Year: 1987 | |
| Medium: oil on gesso board | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA Diploma Collection | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| © the artist | |
| Description: James Morrison taught at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee until 1987, but now concentrates on landscape painting. Although much of Morrison's early work was centred on painting the tenements of Glasgow, he is best known for his wide, open landscapes, empty of human life. He has worked in varied locations such as the north-west Highlands of Scotland and the far north of Canada; but here he paints the open countryside of the Montrose Basin in Angus. Rossie Braes is a painting dominated by an ever-changing sky, which is in dramatic contrast to the peacefulness of the landscape. Even though the title relates to hills, the real subject here is the light in the sky. Morrison has captured this subtle moment of dusk with great authenticity. Using thin oil paint and a soft, limited palette he creates a strong sense of locality without the fussiness of detailed observation. The colours in the sky reflect a soft evening light, where pinks and blues are seen alongside each other. The rendering of the clouds is quite remarkable. They seem to be blowing towards us in a way that lifts them from the surface of the canvas. Morrison here manages to capture both the strength and elegance of nature in one go. The rolling clouds indicate a strong breeze is blowing over the land, and the feeling of being alive and in nature is very satisfying. There are no indications of human existence in this painting. Does that change the way you feel about the work? Would you feel a connection with the artist's work if some figures or houses could be seen? Or does this painting give you a pleasant feeling of being alone with nature? | |
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