John Duncan, who was born in Dundee on July 19, 1866, and died in Edinburgh in 1945, was a master of painting, illustration, and glass art design. An extraordinary visionary in the world of symbolism, Duncan's art was consistently an ode to human emotion and the subtle in-betweens of existence. Every brushstroke, every color choice, every design he produced took the viewer on a rich, multi-layered journey that spanned centuries of history, culture and art. Duncan grew up in Scotland, where he began his artistic training at a young age at the Dundee School of Art. He took his first professional steps as a cartoonist for the monthly comic newspaper "The Wizard of the North" and provided illustrations for the "Dundee Advertiser." He then worked as a book illustrator in London and later decided to pursue a career as a portrait painter, which led him to art schools in Antwerp and Düsseldorf. His first trip to Italy, which took him through Rome, Florence, Lucca, Bologna and Venice, had a lasting influence on his work.
His art is influenced by Japanese printmaking, which he encountered while working for The Evergreen, a magazine specializing in Celtic literature and art. Duncan was able to reinterpret the elegance and refinement of these Eastern techniques in his work, forming his own style. Duncan's ability to capture the essence of a subject and depict it in a way that is both profound and appealing led to his work now being exhibited in many Scottish museums and valued as fine art prints worldwide. John Duncan was also a major promoter of motifs from Celtic mythology in Scottish art and was equally devoted to biblical scenes and themes from Greek mythology. His pursuit of decorative quality in his paintings is reflected in the fascinating aesthetics of his works. The exquisite technique and thematic uniqueness of his paintings are unmatched in early 20th century Scottish art, making each fine art print of his work a precious piece. After returning to Edinburgh, Duncan devoted himself fully to painting. He experimented with various techniques and materials until he discovered tempera painting for himself. Although time-consuming and laborious, this technique gave him the opportunity to fully transfer the intensity and vibrancy of his ideas onto canvas. The precision and care he took in the selection and application of his materials are reflected in the enduring beauty and brilliance of his works. An art print of a John Duncan painting is thus not only a tribute to the artist himself, but also to his relentless pursuit of perfection and his respect for art itself.
John Duncan was not only an exceptional artist, but also a respected teacher who loved to pass on his knowledge and passion for art to his students. As a teacher at the Royal Scottish Academy School of Painting, he had a profound influence on many young artists who later became masters of their craft themselves. Despite personal setbacks and financial difficulties, Duncan worked tirelessly until the end of his life, both as an artist and as a promoter of the arts. The depth and beauty of Duncan's work, ranging from the emotional intensity of symbolism to the elegance and precision of tempera painting, is a constant source of inspiration and admiration. With each fine art print, we strive to do justice to the quality and legacy of this extraordinary artist. John Duncan's works are more than just art - they are an expression of the human experience brought to life in every brushstroke and color.
John Duncan, who was born in Dundee on July 19, 1866, and died in Edinburgh in 1945, was a master of painting, illustration, and glass art design. An extraordinary visionary in the world of symbolism, Duncan's art was consistently an ode to human emotion and the subtle in-betweens of existence. Every brushstroke, every color choice, every design he produced took the viewer on a rich, multi-layered journey that spanned centuries of history, culture and art. Duncan grew up in Scotland, where he began his artistic training at a young age at the Dundee School of Art. He took his first professional steps as a cartoonist for the monthly comic newspaper "The Wizard of the North" and provided illustrations for the "Dundee Advertiser." He then worked as a book illustrator in London and later decided to pursue a career as a portrait painter, which led him to art schools in Antwerp and Düsseldorf. His first trip to Italy, which took him through Rome, Florence, Lucca, Bologna and Venice, had a lasting influence on his work.
His art is influenced by Japanese printmaking, which he encountered while working for The Evergreen, a magazine specializing in Celtic literature and art. Duncan was able to reinterpret the elegance and refinement of these Eastern techniques in his work, forming his own style. Duncan's ability to capture the essence of a subject and depict it in a way that is both profound and appealing led to his work now being exhibited in many Scottish museums and valued as fine art prints worldwide. John Duncan was also a major promoter of motifs from Celtic mythology in Scottish art and was equally devoted to biblical scenes and themes from Greek mythology. His pursuit of decorative quality in his paintings is reflected in the fascinating aesthetics of his works. The exquisite technique and thematic uniqueness of his paintings are unmatched in early 20th century Scottish art, making each fine art print of his work a precious piece. After returning to Edinburgh, Duncan devoted himself fully to painting. He experimented with various techniques and materials until he discovered tempera painting for himself. Although time-consuming and laborious, this technique gave him the opportunity to fully transfer the intensity and vibrancy of his ideas onto canvas. The precision and care he took in the selection and application of his materials are reflected in the enduring beauty and brilliance of his works. An art print of a John Duncan painting is thus not only a tribute to the artist himself, but also to his relentless pursuit of perfection and his respect for art itself.
John Duncan was not only an exceptional artist, but also a respected teacher who loved to pass on his knowledge and passion for art to his students. As a teacher at the Royal Scottish Academy School of Painting, he had a profound influence on many young artists who later became masters of their craft themselves. Despite personal setbacks and financial difficulties, Duncan worked tirelessly until the end of his life, both as an artist and as a promoter of the arts. The depth and beauty of Duncan's work, ranging from the emotional intensity of symbolism to the elegance and precision of tempera painting, is a constant source of inspiration and admiration. With each fine art print, we strive to do justice to the quality and legacy of this extraordinary artist. John Duncan's works are more than just art - they are an expression of the human experience brought to life in every brushstroke and color.
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