John Maclauchlan Milne
Sunflowers

Name: Sunflowers
Brand: John Maclauchlan Milne
Price: 29900 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

'Sunflowers' post impressionism is in the Scottish Colourist tradition and art movement influenced by Cezanne in the early to mid 20th century. The artist, John Maclauchlan Milne, is from a family of fine landscape artists. Milne started his successful career following his father’s success in 19th century traditional landscapes. However he made the transition from 19th century tradition to modernism/post impressionism after moving to France in 1921, studying French artists as the other four Scottish Colourists. This painting is considered by the Gallerie as an important painting in this shift to modernity, by an artist being re-evaluated since published research in 2022. Scottish artist John Maclauchlan Milne, RSA, (1885-1957) is a contemporary of Scottish Colourists Peploe, Fergusson, Cadell and Hunter. Like the other Colourists Milne traveled to France and was taken by the post impressionists, particularly Cezanne, that greatly influenced his future work. ''Sunflowers' was painted in 1929, nine years since Milne began his transformation from a landscape artist to post impressionism. It was in France in 1920 that he fell under the spell of French artists of the time. 'Sunflowers' presents a style prominent among Colourists: post impressionist still life of flowers. Van Gogh's most famous Sunflower painting was collected and exhibited by the National Gallery in London as late as 1924, just five years before Milne painted this one, and four years after his conversion to Cezanne and others. Milne's work is on a field of sky blue with lighter white blue and terra cotta ground. The stems and leaves are shown as much as the flower, and only two flowers are in full bloom, the others in various stages of losing petals. The pottery vase is whitened but still reflects the terra cotta ground. Still life flowers by Peploe and the other Colourists are in high demand. Sunflowers are associated with positivity: happiness, gratitude, sunshine. The blue backdrop is like sky, and white is like light. The painting is grounded by earth, and the twining green leaves reflect 1920s modernity and fascination with nature and greenery. John Maclauchlan Milne grew up in a family of Scottish landscape artists, born in Buckhaven Fife and educated in Edinburgh. Milne exhibited over many years at the Royal Scottish Academy, Glasgow Institute, and the Royal Academy of London. Milne fought in World War I, and then married a French woman. After the war he moved to Dundee. In his 35th year, returning to Paris in 1920, his career changed as he embraced 20th century modernism. Later, he eventually settles in the Scottish Highlands by Arran. His later work reflects the Highland scenes but in his radically new style. In his obituary in the Royal Scottish Academy, Milne's transformation in 1920 is described 'Like Peploe, he saw Cezanne and was immediately conquered'. The conversion was also noted in a Dundee newspaper, 'A year ago he was painting Scottish fields with the soft sunlight and mellow atmosphere. Then Paris seized him, and he gave us canvases splashed with vivid colour'. Milne's work is increasingly recognized as the 'fifth' Scottish Colourist; an artist that moved Scottish art from natural realism to post impressionism and into modernity. Milne has been included in books describing the Scottish Colourists, and the changes in Scottish arts and culture from the beloved 19th century Highland landscapes to the French-influenced 20th century modernism. Research has demonstrated how Milne crossed paths with the other Colourists and how his journey in art was very much like theirs. His work now appears alongside his Colourist colleagues. As such, his post impressionist paintings have commanded higher prices in recent sales. Colourist art is in high demand, and a Colourist still life may reach six figures. Published research in 2022 is having an impact on value of Milne's work. Presented in a period-style patterned wooden frame, this painting departs from elaborate decoration and gold gilding from the past. The price has been adjusted based on higher sales points and upward market trends for Scottish Colourist art and Maclauchlan Milne in particular, in recent sales. Saltire Gallerie acquired this painting in Scotland, and imported the painting into the USA. For more information on recent research on Milne and his place in the Scottish Colourist movement, I refer to the following citation: Citation: M. Millar 2022, 'The 'Missing' Colourist, John Maclauchlan Milne' You are welcome to collect your painting directly from Saltire Gallerie, Hillsborough NC by appointment free of charge, or request shipping estimates.

Creator:

John Maclauchlan Milne (1886 - 1957)

Dimensions:

Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)

Medium:

Canvas,Oil

Movement & Style:

Post-Impressionist

Period:

1920-1929

Condition:

Painting on canvas is in excellent condition with no evident previous repair or restoration. The frame was retouched.