Stanley Cusriter - A Life of the Artist

This book pulls together, for the first time, the disparate threads of Stanley Cursiter's life and career as an artist and public figure of national importance. Born in Kirkwall, Orkney, in 1887, and described as a 'renaissance man' and a 'rare spirit', Cursiter was remarkable for the range of his accomplishments and sheer painterly skill.

Prolific throughout his life, he painted a vast selection of land- and seascapes, portraits, sumptuous conversation pieces, still lifes, and, in 1913, a series of works inspired by the Futurist movement - the only artist in Scotland to do so.

As the last artist/director of the National Galleries of Scotland (from 1930-1948), his vision of a gallery of modern art was innovative, and fundamental to its eventual realisation. Over his life, he was awarded many honours and was a Member of the Royal Scottish Academy, and H.M. Painter and Limner in Scotland from 1948 until his death in 1976. Since then, he has continued to provoke interest and earn his place in Scottish art history.

With contributions from distinguished curators and art historians, friends and family members, this book traces and celebrates the art and achievements of a man whose interests were kaleidoscope and influence far-reaching, but who was happiest among the rocks, cliffs and shores of the islands - and was, above all, an 'Orkneyman'.