Alexander Runciman

August 15, 1736 (age 49)

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He also worked as a stage painter for the Edinburgh Theatre. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years. During Runciman"s stay in Italy he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel. Runciman"s earliest efforts had been in landscape. He now turned to historical and imaginative subjects, exhibiting his Nausicaa at Play with her Maidens in 1767 at the Free Society of British Artists, Edinburgh. On his return from Italy after a brief time in London, where in 1772 he exhibited in the Royal Academy, he settled in Edinburgh, and was appointed master of the Trustees" Academy. He was patronised by Sir James Clerk, whose hall at Penicuik House he decorated with a series of subjects from Ossian. He enjoyed a strong reputation as a landscape painter is his lifetime. Some of his works, due to their spontaneity, vigour of style and colour, and unorthodox composition, place him as an early exponent of modern art Keith Ralph studied under Alexander Runciman. Runciman died in Edinburgh and is buried in Canongate Churchyard.

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Alexander Runciman

painter

Background

He was born in Edinburgh, and studied at Foulis"s Academy, Glasgow, and from 1750 to 1762 he was apprenticed to the landscape painter Robert Norie, later becoming a partner in the Norie family firm.

Career

He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He also worked as a stage painter for the Edinburgh Theatre. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years.

During Runciman"s stay in Italy he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel.

Runciman"s earliest efforts had been in landscape. He now turned to historical and imaginative subjects, exhibiting his Nausicaa at Play with her Maidens in 1767 at the Free Society of British Artists, Edinburgh.

On his return from Italy after a brief time in London, where in 1772 he exhibited in the Royal Academy, he settled in Edinburgh, and was appointed master of the Trustees" Academy. He was patronised by Sir James Clerk, whose hall at Penicuik House he decorated with a series of subjects from Ossian.

He enjoyed a strong reputation as a landscape painter is his lifetime.

Some of his works, due to their spontaneity, vigour of style and colour, and unorthodox composition, place him as an early exponent of modern art Keith Ralph studied under Alexander Runciman. Runciman died in Edinburgh and is buried in Canongate Churchyard.

Achievements

His "Flight into Egypt, " in the National Gallery of Scotland, is remarkable for the precision of its execution and the mellow richness of its colouring.

Connections

Brother:: John Runciman

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