This is a fine still life by David McClure (1926 - 1998) and is entitled Flower IV.
The image shows a bold arrangement of wildflowers - poppy and daisy types. They are on a kitchen table and placed in a grey and white striped jug. The casual placement of the blooms in the jug suggests that they have been just picked from a country garden outside and quickly popped in the nearest container so that the artist can capture the dazzling freshness of the flowerheads and their vibrant colours.
It is oil on paper, laid down on board - and has its original frame (glazed). It is signed by the artist lower right.
There are labels on the back which give a provenance history for this work. It was exhibited at the Scottish Gallery / Aitken & Dott in Edinburgh in 1993. It was catalogue number 73.
The frame size is 38 x 45 cm. Image size is 22 x 29 cm.
The picture is behind glass - so please overlook any reflections in my photographs - the actual picture is in lovely condition, ready to hang for display.
David McClure was born in Lochwinnoch. He studied at Edinburgh Art College where Anne Redpath, William Gilles and John Maxwell were all major influences on his work. During the war, McClure became a 'Bevin Boy’, working in the coalmines - that at the time strongly influenced his work. He graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in the early 1950s where he was a contemporary of Elizabeth Blackadder, John Houston and David Michie.
McClure taught part-time at Edinburgh College of Art from 1953 to 1955. He was awarded the College’s Andrew Grant Fellowship, which allowed him to paint full-time for two years, part of which he spent in Sicily. Like his friend Alberto Morrocco, he was a frequent visitor to Europe, travelling in Spain and Italy and capturing the sun and light of these countries in his use of strong Mediterranean colours.
In 1957 McClure joined the teaching staff of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, where he was Head of Painting from 1983 until he retired two years later. During his career, he exhibited widely in the UK and Europe and his work is very much sought after.