AN ICONIC painting by Scottish artist and author Alasdair Gray is to go on display after being acquired by Glasgow Life Museums.
The 1964 painting, called Cowcaddens Streetscape in the Fifties, is one of his best-known works and the artist himself called it his "best big oil painting".
Before the piece goes on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, it will be conserved at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, where academics and fans can see it through tours and research appointments.
Inspiration for the partwork came from daily life in an area of Glasgow where the landscape and community changed radically post-war.
It also encourages people to engage with Glasgow’s past, and highlights how Cowcaddens’ buildings, streets and people give it character.
Chair of Glasgow Life Bailie Annette Christie said: “This painting is a remarkable addition to our collection of works by the legendary Alasdair Gray. It is a powerful image of Glasgow by an artist with strong links to the city and belongs in a public collection where Glaswegians and visitors can enjoy it.
“Acquisitions like this strengthen Glasgow’s world-class museum collections. They also help people to get involved in and feel inspired by the culture our city has to offer.”
The addition of the artwork was made possible through the support of The National Fund for Acquisitions, administered with Scottish Government funding by National Museums Scotland.
Gray (above) was born in Riddrie in 1934 and went on to attend The Glasgow School of Art, attributing his love of painting to a weekend art class at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
He was a poet, author, playwright and printmaker as well as an artist, and died in 2019 in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital due to a short illness.
A spokesperson for the Estate of Alasdair Gray said: “I am thankful for the City of Glasgow purchasing the Cowcaddens Streetscape on behalf of the citizens of Glasgow, Scotland and art lovers around the world.
“The mural is bold and innovative in its use of altered perspective and time shift to portray the city and the stages of life of its inhabitants.”
His painting will join a selection of his artworks that Glasgow Life Museums has such as his 1997-1998 City Recorder series.
