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Alexander Runciman Art

British, 1736-1785

Alexander Runciman, born on August 15, 1736, in Edinburgh, was a Scottish painter of historical and mythological subjects. He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He studied at the Foulis Academy, Glasgow and from 1750–62, he was apprenticed to the landscape painter Robert Norie, later becoming a partner in the Norie family firm. He also worked as a stage painter for the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years. His brother John accompanied him but died in Naples in the winter of 1768–69. During Runciman's stay in Italy, he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel. Runciman's earliest efforts had been in the landscape and he turned to historical and imaginative subjects, exhibiting his Nausicaä at Play with her Maidens in 1767 at the Free Society of British Artists, Edinburgh. On his return from Italy after a brief time in London, he exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy in 1772. He settled in Edinburgh and was appointed master of the Trustees Drawing Academy. He was patronized by Sir James Clerk, whose hall at Penicuik House he decorated with a series of subjects from Ossian. He also created various religious paintings and an altar-piece in the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh and easel pictures of Cymon and Iphigenia, Sigismunda Weeping over the Heart of Tancred and Agrippina with the Ashes of Germanicus. In 1773, he was listed as sharing a studio with Mr. McLarin at the foot of Old Assembly Close, Royal Mile. He enjoyed a strong reputation as a landscape painter in his lifetime. Some of his works, due to their spontaneity, the vigor of style, color and unorthodox composition, place him as an early exponent of modern art. Keith Ralph studied under Alexander Runciman. Runciman died on October 4, 1785, in Edinburgh and is buried in Canongate Churchyard. The grave is unmarked but a stone plaque was erected by the RSA in 1866 on the west-facing wall of the church to honor his memory and also commemorating his brother John who died in Naples.

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Artist: Alexander Runciman
"Perseus and Andromeda" figurative black and white mythology scene figurative
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Perseus and Andromeda" is an etching by Scottish artist Alexander Runciman, signed in plate to the lower left. It depicts Perseus on the left sw...
Category

1770s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Art

Materials

Etching

18th century etching figurative neoclassical mythology scene dynamic
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Cormar Attacking a Spirit on the Waters" is an etching by eighteenth-century Scottish artist Alexander Runciman, signed in plate on the lower edge of the etching, "ARunciman inv. & ...
Category

1770s Academic Alexander Runciman Art

Materials

Etching, Paper, Ink

18th century etching figurative royalty wedding scene print black and white
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Marriage of Saint Margaret and King Malcolm" is an etching by Scottish artist Alexander Runciman. There is an engraved signature with the artist's monogram followed by "pinxit et fecit," indicating that Runciman both designed the original drawing and likely executed the etching on the metal plate. On the left, a young woman with a halo in fine dress stoops slightly and gathers her skirts as she leans over to accept the ring that the man on the right is reaching to place upon her finger. He is also young, dressed finely, and wearing a crown. Between them, a church official with a pointed hat and a long flowing beard recites the appropriate prayers for the occasion, while onlookers crowd in the background. The tiled floor demonstrates the use of one-point perspective, and the church appears to be in the Gothic style. Art size: 8 3/4" x 7 1/4" Frame size: 26 1/2" x 22 3/8" Alexander Runciman (Edinburgh 15 August 1736 – 4 October 1785 Edinburgh) was a Scottish painter of historical and mythological subjects. He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He was born in Edinburgh, and studied at the Foulis Academy, Glasgow, and from 1750 to 1762 he was apprenticed to the landscape painter Robert Norie, later becoming a partner in the Norie family firm. He also worked as a stage painter for the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years. His brother John accompanied him, but died in Naples in the winter of 1768–69. During Runciman's stay in Italy he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel...
Category

1770s Academic Alexander Runciman Art

Materials

Etching

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Alexander Runciman art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Runciman art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Runciman in etching, ink, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Runciman art, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of James Gillray, Carle Vernet (Antoine Charles Horace Vernet), and Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. Alexander Runciman art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $3,300, while the average work can sell for $1,900.

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