Oil Painting Portrait William Muirhead Glasgow Iron & Steel Merchant John McGhie

1 Fine Scottish Work Of Art Antique Oil Painting Portrait William Muirhead of Messrs, Glasgow Iron & Steel Merchant By John McGhie.

Half length front profile portrait of Mr William Muirhead of Messrs, William Muirhead (Limited) Mount Vernon Iron & Steel Works 1855-1923. He looks such an impressive distinguished gentlemen with his moustache & smart suit jacket with white shirt and tie.

Circa 1916 early 20th century.

Signed by the known listed Scottish artist John McGhie.

Presented in a decorative silver & outer gilt frame with metal wire hanging thread verso.

Oil on canvas.

Works like this rare become available for public sale.

William Muirhead was a highly respected in the world of industrial iron and steel industry. This is a signifiant portrait, as it was possible was done as a favour for the Muirhead family as few portraits exist by the artist John McGhie.

Mr Muirhead spent his whole life in the industry and specialised in the chemical side, for his first important appointment being that of Chief Metallurgist with Messrs. William Beardmore and Co. Parkhead. He was largely instrumental in laying down and starting the works of the Lanarkshire Steel Company at Flemington and acted as manager for some time afterwards.

On leaving this company he began on his account in Glasgow as an Iron and steel merchant and carried on business successfully for many years. His heart was however in the manufacturing side of the industry and his researches culminated in the introduction of a new material now well known as Muirhead metal, the special qualities of which render it peculiary suitable for resisting high speed friction. Mr Muirhead who took no active part in public affairs, had been in failing health of some months during his final year in 1923.

John McGhie 1867-1952 John McGhie's paintings have sold at auction many times, with sold prices ranging up to 40,687 USD, the record price for this artist at auction is 40,687 USD for By the sea, sold at Christie's London in 2003.
John McGhie was a Scottish painter. Born near Lanark, Scotland in 1867, McGhie began his education at the Glasgow School of Art where he remained for one year before receiving a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy Schools.

His time at the Royal Academy Schools in London under the tutelage of the late John Everett Millais proved to be both instructional and inspiring. Upon graduating from the RA Schools McGhie travelled to Paris to continue his artistic education at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Whilst in France, the artist was witness to many vibrant and increasingly changeable artistic movements.

The effect of his traditional British education combined with the ambitious, Impressionistic sway of France encouraged McGhie to explore a distinct style of representation upon his return to his native Scotland in 1904. Settling in the fishing village of Pittenweem on the Firth of Forth, McGhie began to represent the sea and landscapes around him. Life in the fishing village proved to be a source of great inspiration to the artist, who later began to capture the people and fishermen of his adopted home in his work.

McGhie was a celebrated seascape artist, and became known as an accomplished portraitist in the early 1910s. His work was widely exhibited in both Glasgow and London, and the artist first participated in a Royal Academy exhibition in 1911. McGhie enjoyed great success throughout his long career. His joy in, and talent for, painting the sea views and industrial people around him en plein air encouraged his artistic approach to develop considerably, his colour palette and swiftness of brushwork inspired by the changeable coastal scenery in which he revelled. The artist died in 1952.

Further information and other examples at Artistscollectingsociety, Artuk, Mutualart, Bonhams & Christies.

Provenance purchased from a fine art dealer and artist biograpgy and other information verso..

We select & sell our paintings based solely upon subject, quality & significance.

Condition report.

Offered in fine used condition. The canvas is in very good order. The frame having general wear, scuffs, minor chips & paint loss in places commensurate with usage & age.

We offer our clients exceptional professional customer service.

Dimensions in centimetres of the frame approximate

High (60cm)
Wide (49.5cm)
Depth (3.5cm)


Reserve: $18,288.00

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