DOI Heft:
No. 183 (February 1925)
DOI Artikel:Taylor, Ernest Archibald: W. Y. MacGregor, R.S.A.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21402#0096
W. Y. MACGREGOR, R.S.A.
It is ofttimes said that a Scotchman has try to realise it; get its bigness, don't
no sense of humour : Macgregor was very follow any school, there are no schools in
Scotch, he also had a very great sense of art." Yet he was known as the father of
humour, and it was probably both these the Glasgow School. It was not, however,
mingled qualities which kept him ever a compliment which he greatly appreciated,
lively in enthusiasm and boyish spirits, though it was in his studio some thirty-
which might sometimes be taken offen- eight years ago, with originally a little
sively by those who have never learned to group of three, that the chief impetus
smile, or, in seeking a criticism, have ex- was formed and later developed by others
pected it to be entirely laudatory. 0 into what became universally known as
His strong passion was his art, and I the Glasgow School of Painters. Fastidious
know of none other who devoted so much in his view-point and fastidious to a high
thought to it in all its phases, and one degree as a critic of his own work ; having
who was never above studying, noting and a desire to be content with nothing but
encouraging younger men, if in their work the highest excellence, he destroyed many
he saw the slightest attempt to get beyond a canvas upon which others less critical
the formless, and passing as poetic, can- would have staked a reputation. 0 a
vases which so often cover the walls of our It was just that continual want of
prominent exhibitions. Damningly just satisfying himself with his work that
in his criticism of others when it was restrained him from exhibiting anything
sought, and equally vigorous in his judg- unless it passed the severe test of his own
ment on his own work, I fancy I can still judgment, with the result that he exhibited
hear him say, " Hack the subject out as little in comparison with the amount of
you would were you using an axe, and work he accomplished. Though a member
90
" THE QUARRY." BY W.
Y. MACGREGOR, R.S.A.
It is ofttimes said that a Scotchman has try to realise it; get its bigness, don't
no sense of humour : Macgregor was very follow any school, there are no schools in
Scotch, he also had a very great sense of art." Yet he was known as the father of
humour, and it was probably both these the Glasgow School. It was not, however,
mingled qualities which kept him ever a compliment which he greatly appreciated,
lively in enthusiasm and boyish spirits, though it was in his studio some thirty-
which might sometimes be taken offen- eight years ago, with originally a little
sively by those who have never learned to group of three, that the chief impetus
smile, or, in seeking a criticism, have ex- was formed and later developed by others
pected it to be entirely laudatory. 0 into what became universally known as
His strong passion was his art, and I the Glasgow School of Painters. Fastidious
know of none other who devoted so much in his view-point and fastidious to a high
thought to it in all its phases, and one degree as a critic of his own work ; having
who was never above studying, noting and a desire to be content with nothing but
encouraging younger men, if in their work the highest excellence, he destroyed many
he saw the slightest attempt to get beyond a canvas upon which others less critical
the formless, and passing as poetic, can- would have staked a reputation. 0 a
vases which so often cover the walls of our It was just that continual want of
prominent exhibitions. Damningly just satisfying himself with his work that
in his criticism of others when it was restrained him from exhibiting anything
sought, and equally vigorous in his judg- unless it passed the severe test of his own
ment on his own work, I fancy I can still judgment, with the result that he exhibited
hear him say, " Hack the subject out as little in comparison with the amount of
you would were you using an axe, and work he accomplished. Though a member
90
" THE QUARRY." BY W.
Y. MACGREGOR, R.S.A.