Curations

20th Century Spotlight: Kirkcaldy Galleries and the Fife Council Collection

David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

Kirkcaldy Galleries

Kirkcaldy Gallery is housed in a building financed as a memorial in the 1920s to the son of the linoleum manufacturer John Nairn who died in the First World War. Nairn, a contemporary linen manufacturer John W. Blyth and an engineer A. Harley were the three important benefactors who established this town's collection. S. J. Peploe and the work of the other Scottish colourists are very well represented, whilst there are works additionally by the Camden Town Group and an important group of works by William McTaggart. An acquisition policy has ensured Scottish contemporary artists are very well represented: there are works by John Bellany, Elizabeth Blackadder, William Gillies, William Gear and Anne Redpath amongst others.

Artists featured in this Curation: William James Baillie (1923–2011), James Reid Barclay (1932–2023), John Bellany (1942–2013), Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021), Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970), Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937), David Young Cameron (1865–1945), Gordon Campbell (1931–2020), Ken Currie (b.1960), Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976), and 48 more
58 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • William James Baillie (1923–2011)

    Shrine with Carnations 1982
    William James Baillie (1923–2011)
    Oil on canvas
    H 74.5 x W 100 cm
    Fife Council
    Shrine with Carnations
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • James Reid Barclay (1932–2023)

    Ingrie Farm, Near Leslie 1905
    James Reid Barclay (1932–2023)
    Watercolour
    H 67 x W 79 cm
    Fife Council
    Ingrie Farm, Near Leslie
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Bellany (1942–2013)

    The Family 1970
    John Bellany (1942–2013)
    Oil on board
    H 213.5 x W 183 cm
    Fife Council
    The Family
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)

    Still Life with Agates
    Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)
    Oil on canvas
    H 70 x W 80 cm
    Fife Council
    Still Life with Agates
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970)

    Low Tide 1952
    Robert Henderson Blyth (1919–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 66 x W 91 cm
    Fife Council
    Low Tide
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937)

    Cassis
    Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937)
    Oil on panel
    H 45 x W 37.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Cassis
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • David Young Cameron (1865–1945)

    Church Interior 1902–1906
    David Young Cameron (1865–1945)
    Watercolour
    H 70 x W 55 cm
    Fife Council
    Church Interior
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Gordon Campbell (1931–2020)

    Fife Cornfields 1967
    Gordon Campbell (1931–2020)
    Oil on canvas
    H 36 x W 46 cm
    Fife Council
    Fife Cornfields
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Ken Currie (b.1960)

    Self Taught Man 1987
    Ken Currie (b.1960)
    Lithograph
    H 91.5 x W 72 cm
    Fife Council
    Self Taught Man
    © the artist/courtesy Flowers Gallery, London and New York. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)

    The Old Store, Stromness 1950
    Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)
    Oil on canvas
    H 39.5 x W 44.5 cm
    Fife Council
    The Old Store, Stromness
    © estate of Stanley Cursiter. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • James Marshall Dickson (b.1942)

    Dumbiedykes at Lochgelly 1976
    James Marshall Dickson (b.1942)
    Acrylic & mixed media on paper
    H 67.5 x W 52.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Dumbiedykes at Lochgelly
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Duncan (1866–1945)

    Seascape: Sunset c.1908
    John Duncan (1866–1945)
    Tempera on canvas
    H 29.5 x W 39.9 cm
    Fife Council
    Seascape: Sunset
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Georg Ehrlich (1897–1966)

    Cow and Calf
    Georg Ehrlich (1897–1966)
    Bronze
    H 51 x W 69 x D 39 cm
    Fife Council
    Cow and Calf
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

    Berneval, the Cliff
    John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 61 cm
    Fife Council
    Berneval, the Cliff
    © courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Ian Fleming (1906–1994)

    Black Pot
    Ian Fleming (1906–1994)
    Lithograph
    H 68.5 x W 78.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Black Pot
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Doreen Fletcher (b.1952)

    Theatre and Clock
    Doreen Fletcher (b.1952)
    Oil on canvas
    H 75 x W 54.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Theatre and Clock
    © Doreen Fletcher. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William Gear (1915–1997)

    Les arbres 1950
    William Gear (1915–1997)
    Oil on canvas
    H 80.7 x W 64.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Les arbres
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William George Gillies (1898–1973)

    Boats, St Monance 1949
    William George Gillies (1898–1973)
    Watercolour
    H 69 x W 81.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Boats, St Monance
    © Royal Scottish Academy / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Harold Gilman (1876–1919)

    The White Jumper
    Harold Gilman (1876–1919)
    Oil on panel
    H 34.5 x W 24.5 cm
    Fife Council
    The White Jumper
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Spencer Gore (1878–1914)

    The Gravel Pit
    Spencer Gore (1878–1914)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 61.5 cm
    Fife Council
    The Gravel Pit
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Tom Gourdie (1913–2005)

    View of Abbotshall School
    Tom Gourdie (1913–2005)
    Watercolour
    H 69 x W 83.5 cm
    Fife Council
    View of Abbotshall School
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Duncan Grant (1885–1978)

    Still Life with Flowers 1923
    Duncan Grant (1885–1978)
    Oil on canvas
    H 80 x W 64 cm
    Fife Council
    Still Life with Flowers
    © Estate of Duncan Grant. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Douglas James Gray (b.1947)

    Pettycur Pier 1976
    Douglas James Gray (b.1947)
    Pen & watercolour on paper
    H 68.5 x W 74.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Pettycur Pier
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • David William Gunn (1865–1935)

    Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress 1933
    David William Gunn (1865–1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100.5 x W 75 cm
    Fife Council
    Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • James Whitelaw Hamilton (1860–1932)

    Loch Long Hills
    James Whitelaw Hamilton (1860–1932)
    Oil on canvas
    H 54.5 x W 67.3 cm
    Fife Council
    Loch Long Hills
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Edward Atkinson Hornel (1864–1933)

    Burmese Girls 1908
    Edward Atkinson Hornel (1864–1933)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102.5 x W 77 cm
    Fife Council
    Burmese Girls
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Houston (1930–2008)

    Sea Wall, West Wemyss c.1953
    John Houston (1930–2008)
    Oil on board
    H 69.9 x W 90 cm
    Fife Council
    Sea Wall, West Wemyss
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)

    The Green Vase
    George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)
    Oil on panel
    H 40.5 x W 35.5 cm
    Fife Council
    The Green Vase
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William Oliphant Hutchison (1889–1970)

    Family Group 1926
    William Oliphant Hutchison (1889–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 151 x W 126 cm
    Fife Council
    Family Group
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • George Bradley Innes (1913–1970)

    Seated Figure
    George Bradley Innes (1913–1970)
    Sandstone
    H 52 x W 35 x D 32 cm
    Fife Council
    Seated Figure
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Johnstone (b.1941)

    The Potato Pickers 1986
    John Johnstone (b.1941)
    Oil on board
    H 89 x W 112 cm
    Fife Council
    The Potato Pickers
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Lavery (1856–1941)

    My House in Morocco 1912
    John Lavery (1856–1941)
    Oil on canvas
    H 25 x W 34 cm
    Fife Council
    My House in Morocco
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893–1975)

    Head of an Italian Girl 1926
    Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893–1975)
    Oil on panel
    H 40.9 x W 29.6 cm
    Fife Council
    Head of an Italian Girl
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976)

    An Old Street 1937
    Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976)
    Oil on panel
    H 51 x W 35.5 cm
    Fife Council
    An Old Street
    © The Estate of L.S. Lowry. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William MacTaggart (1903–1981)

    Dragør 11
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
    Oil on board
    H 35 x W 40 cm
    Fife Council
    Dragør 11
    © by permission of the artist's family. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • David Mach (b.1956)

    Dad
    David Mach (b.1956)
    Steel
    H 50 x W 55 x D 68 cm
    Fife Council
    Dad
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John Maxwell (1905–1962)

    Butterflies and Flowers
    John Maxwell (1905–1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 67.6 x W 54.7 cm
    Fife Council
    Butterflies and Flowers
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • James McBey (1883–1959)

    Robert Wemyss Honeyman (d.1969) 1929
    James McBey (1883–1959)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91 x W 74.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Robert Wemyss Honeyman (d.1969)
    © Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • John McGhie (1867–1952)

    Curlers on Kilconquhar Loch 1905
    John McGhie (1867–1952)
    Oil on canvas
    H 69.7 x W 89.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Curlers on Kilconquhar Loch
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Donald McIntyre (1923–2009)

    By the Harbour, Crail
    Donald McIntyre (1923–2009)
    Acrylic on board
    H 29 x W 39 cm
    Fife Council
    By the Harbour, Crail
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Joe McIntyre (b.1940)

    The Quarry, Evening Light
    Joe McIntyre (b.1940)
    Oil on canvas
    H 70 x W 90.6 cm
    Fife Council
    The Quarry, Evening Light
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William McTaggart (1835–1910)

    The White Surf 1908
    William McTaggart (1835–1910)
    Oil on canvas
    H 108 x W 161.5 cm
    Fife Council
    The White Surf
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Donald Moodie (1892–1963)

    The White Chair c.1960
    Donald Moodie (1892–1963)
    Oil on board
    H 97 x W 76 cm
    Fife Council
    The White Chair
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)

    Nairn Elephant 1973
    Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
    Plastic
    H 32 x W 41 x D 15 cm
    Fife Council
    Nairn Elephant
    © trustees of the Paolozzi Foundation, licensed by DACS 2025. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • James McIntosh Patrick (1907–1998)

    The Old Course 1956
    James McIntosh Patrick (1907–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 87.5 x W 67 cm
    Fife Council
    The Old Course
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Denis Frederic Neal Peploe (1914–1993)

    Apples and Pears
    Denis Frederic Neal Peploe (1914–1993)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 61 cm
    Fife Council
    Apples and Pears
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)

    Lilies
    Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 41 cm
    Fife Council
    Lilies
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William Watson Peploe (1869–1933)

    Still Life
    William Peploe (1910–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 34 x W 48 cm
    Fife Council
    Still Life
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Robin Philipson (1916–1992)

    Attack
    Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91 x W 122 cm
    Fife Council
    Attack
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William Bruce Ellis Ranken (1881–1941)

    Woman Sewing 1903
    William Bruce Ellis Ranken (1881–1941)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68.5 x W 51 cm
    Fife Council
    Woman Sewing
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Anne Redpath (1895–1965)

    Peille, A Hillside Village
    Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 61 cm
    Fife Council
    Peille, A Hillside Village
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)

    What Shall We Do for the Rent? 1909
    Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51.5 x W 41 cm
    Fife Council
    What Shall We Do for the Rent?
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Margaret L. Smyth

    Fish Market, Pittenweem 1980
    Margaret L. Smyth
    Oil on canvas
    H 105.5 x W 105.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Fish Market, Pittenweem
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • William Strang (1859–1921)

    Girl with a Fur Cape 1911
    William Strang (1859–1921)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71.5 x W 51 cm
    Fife Council
    Girl with a Fur Cape
    Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Jack Vettriano (b.1951)

    One Moment in Time 1996
    Jack Vettriano (b.1951)
    Oil on canvas
    H 37 x W 29 cm
    Fife Council
    One Moment in Time
    © Jack Vettriano. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Frances Walker (b.1930)

    Low Tide at Brough
    Frances Walker (b.1930)
    Lithograph
    H 76 x W 97 cm
    Fife Council
    Low Tide at Brough
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Alan Watson (1957–2019)

    Going over the Rocks 1984
    Alan Watson (1957–2019)
    Acrylic on paper
    H 189.1 x W 151.3 cm
    Fife Council
    Going over the Rocks
    © The Estate of Alan Watson. All rights reserved. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

  • Alison Watt (b.1965)

    Figures in a Classroom 1984
    Alison Watt (b.1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 107 x W 91.5 cm
    Fife Council
    Figures in a Classroom
    © the artist. Image credit: Fife Cultural Trust, on behalf of Fife Council

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 58
  • Tristan and Isolde
    John Duncan (1866–1945)
  • Window in Menton
    Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
  • Tulips – The Blue Jug
    Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)
  • On the Argyllshire Coast
    William McTaggart (1835–1910)
  • Winter Sunset, the Red Soil
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
  • Still Life with Flowers and Fruit
    George Leslie Hunter (1877–1931)
  • Mill Scene
    Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976)
  • Out of Order
    David Mach (b.1956)
  • De-Icing before a Strike off the Norwegian Coast, during which this Beaufighter was lost
    Tom Gourdie (1913–2005)
  • Dereliction
    Joe McIntyre (b.1940)
  • View all 58
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