Katharine Cameron

In February 1874, Katharine Cameron was born in Hillhead, Glasgow, in the West End. In the 1890s, she began her studies as an artist at the Glasgow School of Art, studying under Francis Newbery. During this time, she joined the female artist group known as the 'Glasgow Girls', who used their skills to create a space and gain respect for women artists at the start of the twentieth century.

Cameron later became a member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists. She furthered her studies in Paris at the Atelier Colarossi, under Courtois and Prinet. During her time in Europe, she frequently traveled to Italy to hone her skills as an artist. Once she graduated from Colarossi, Cameron became well known for her many works in children's book illustrations, landscapes, and her favorite, floral paintings. She also became very proficient in the medium of watercolor and entered the Royal Scottish Watercolour Society.

Her works Smollett's House and the Old Playhouse and Riddell's Court, Lawnmarket are now an integral part of The Recording Scotland programme, initiated by the Pilgrim Trust in 1942. Riddell's Court, Lawnmarket is quite unique in this collection as it was completed with the dry medium of pencil. The granular strokes allow for a tactile view of these three-story buildings facing into a courtyard in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

Cameron, although a distinguished artist herself also was surrounded by many prominent male artists, her brother Sir David Young Cameron as well as her husband Arthur Kay, an art collector and connoisseur. In 1965 she passed away in Edinburgh, having her works exhibited in museums and galleries in the UK, Europe, and America.

ImageL Riddell's Court, Lawnmarket, Katharine Cameron, pencil on paper.