Norah Neilson-Gray R.S.W. (Scottish 1882-1931) Sisters with a kitten

Signed, oil on canvas (Dimensions: 51cm x 41cm (20in x 16in))

(51cm x 41cm (20in x 16in))

Notes: Note: One of the first woman artists who sought out and established a commercially successful career, Glasgow Girl Norah Neilson Gray was best known for her stylised portraits. Carefully composed, the individuality and bold colour in her portraits brought Grey recognition from art critics and spectators in the flourishing Glasgow art circles of the time. She painted many portraits of well-known Glasgow figures and their families and was well known in Glasgow as excelling in child portraiture. Sisters with Kitten brings the essence of Gray’s portraiture together with bold colours, flowers and strong contrasts. She has the full attention of the cherub-like children who sit in a wooded scene amongst flowers that blend seamlessly into a bright yellow background. The background light shining on the sitter’s head simulates sunset and creates a halo effect, drawing one’s attention to the expression of the child in the yellow dress tightly clutching the kitten in her arms. A wonderfully talented portraitist and Sisters with Kitten epitomises Gray’s superb handling of paint and use of bold colour.