* JAMES MILLER RSA RSW (SCOTTISH 1893 – 1987)
AYUNTAMIENTO ASTORGA, SPAIN

watercolour on paper, signed, titled verso
mounted, framed and under glass

image size 37cm x 57cm, overall size 57cm x 77cm

Note: The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) staged an exhibition "James Miller RSA, A Traveller's Eye" from 7th October 2013 to 27th January 2014. The text below is a direct transcription: In 1987 the RSA was the beneficiary of a significant volume of work from the estate of RSA artist James Miller. A Traveller’s Eye exhibits this collection together for the first time in over twenty years, to help rediscover a talented Scottish artist. RSA Collections Curator Sandy Wood has gathered a fine selection of Miller’s best watercolours and studies that bring to life his travels and adventures across Europe. Throughout the twentieth century James Miller RSA completed his own Grand Tour, falling in love with the architectural heritage and cityscapes of Spain, Italy, France and latterly, Croatia. Miller's work was magnificently coloured by his regular travels to these places of inimitable light and his appreciation of architectural history, detail and form brought forth a draughtsmanship to die for. Combined with his keen situational eye, that expertly evoked the time and place of the scenes he experienced, the results are simply delightful to behold. Miller completed his watercolours in the open air, achieving a vibrancy and atmosphere that could only be bettered by standing there oneself. Within the RSA collections it is difficult to find a body of work that rivals the James Miller collection in its ability to take the viewer on a far-off journey. The experience is a treat for the eyes and escapism incarnate. For the first time this body of watercolours and accompanying drawings will be exhibited together in an exhibition celebrating Miller's prodigious talent. As an artist who has been sorely overlooked since his passing this exhibition will hopefully spark a long overdue rediscovery. As we bid farewell to a strangely good Scottish summer, this show will help keep dreams of sunnier climes alive over the winter months. Note 2: Born in Dennistoun, Glasgow. Painter sometimes in oil but mainly in watercolour. Trained Glasgow School of Art under Greiffenhagen and Anning Bell, subsequently in Paris. His watercolours are strongly composed with sharp outlines and subdued washes. In the 1920s and 30s he travelled extensively abroad, working in the Mediterranean area and also on the west coast of Scotland, especially on Skye where he had a home. In Paris he made studies of the street scenes of the period and continued to make the architecture of the major cities of Europe his principal subject matter, with special affection for the architectural heritage of Spain. During WW II he executed a number of powerful watercolours of war damage in Glasgow. Elected RSW 1934, ARSA 1943 and RSA 1964. Exhibited 1921-87 more than 100 works at the RSA. also RSW, RGI and AAS.

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