Biography: John Duncan Fergusson 1874 - 1961
JD Fergusson was perhaps the most versatile and experimental of the Scottish Colourists his love of vibrant colour and depiction of the human form leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. He was an excellent draughtsman who was able to adapt the various new influences, which came over from Paris, making them into something personal and unique.
Born in Edinburgh in 1874 he was the eldest of four children. His family, successful wine merchants originally came from near Pitlochry, Perthshire. His passion for art began in the mid 1880s and although he had been accepted by the Trustees Academy, (the forerunner to Edinburgh College of Art), he gave up his formal training as he found it too rigid and limiting. The classes involved studying from the vast array of classical plaster casts but Fergusson was keen to learn directly from life and showing characteristic independence of mind, he taught himself!
