Francis Cadell (artist)

Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell RSA (12 April 1883 – 6 December 1937) was a Scottish Colourist painter, renowned for his depictions of the elegant New Town interiors of his native Edinburgh, and for his work on Iona.

While a student, the President of the Royal Scottish Academy tried to stop him painting with his left hand because "No artist ever became great who did so."

"[7][8] Only in 1908, between the death of his mother and that of his father (who was terminally ill), did he specifically seek a one-man-show, which he achieved at Doig, Wilson and Wheatley's gallery at 90 George Street in Edinburgh.

The exhibition of the results in 1911 sold poorly, only 3 oils and 3 watercolours, greatly discouraging Cadell's trust in the dealers.

He therefore tended to use subjects and environments that were close at hand – landscapes, fashionable Edinburgh New Town house interiors, still life and figures in both oil and watercolour.

[6] He is particularly noted for his portraits of glamorous women whom he painted in a loose, impressionistic manner, depicting his subject with vibrant waves of colour.

Following the death of his close friend Ivor Campbell in World War I,[13] he enlisted, serving in the 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 9th Royal Scots.

the influential art dealer Alexander Reid organised Cadell's first one-man-show at his gallery in St Vincent Street in Glasgow in February 1918.

From 1923 to 1936, Cadell served as a Council member of the influential Edinburgh architecture, planning and amenity watchdog organisation, the Cockburn Association.