Elizabeth Blackadder 1931-2021
Mykonos (Pigeon Houses, Greece), 1962
oil on canvas
76 x 101.5 cm
29 7/8 x 40 in
29 7/8 x 40 in
signed and dated
Blackadder travelled widely after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1954, she was awarded scholarship funds allowing her to spend time in Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy where she focused...
Blackadder travelled widely after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1954, she was awarded scholarship funds allowing her to spend time in Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy where she focused on studying Byzantine and Classical art. During the 1960s, she developed her interest in still life work but her passion for travel persisted and on these trips including Mykonos, she evolved her landscape painting. This example depicts the monumental, ornate birdhouses native to the Cycladic Islands that were historically used for breeding pigeons. Throughout this decade, her palette lightens due to her awareness of Matisse but in this example, she uses deep earthy tones with thick textural brushstrokes to outline the land and horizon, contrasting against the whitewashed buildings and the intricate decorative elements Blackadder subtly captures.
Provenance
Private Collection, UK.1
of
3