Images(2)

Goodbye Summer

Artist James A. H. Hector (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1868 - 1940)

Datec.1935

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsFrame Size: 65.8 × 80.9cm
Image Size: 46 × 61cm

AcquisitionPresented in 2019 by the Bartholomew Family, Edinburgh.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS095565

About MeJames Hector was a painter long associated with Aberdeen. He was trained at Gray’s School of Art and became an influential art teacher. In the mid-1890s, he also went to study at the Atelier Julian in Paris and in Brittany. The experience left an indelible impression and he retained an affection for France for the rest of his life.

Hector did a great service to Scottish art. He was appointed principal lecturer in art at Aberdeen Training College in 1904, a post he held for 30 years. Among his students was James Cowie. Hector had a profound influence on Cowie as an art teacher. Before he went to study art, Cowie was studying at Aberdeen University for a degree in English Literature. After meeting with Hector at Aberdeen Training College, he decided to give up the idea of taking a degree in English and pursue his full time training in the visual art.

As a mark of homage to Hector, Cowie included Goodbye Summer by his teacher in the background of his own self-portrait, which is in our collection – ABDAG000064. It clearly shows Cowie’s admiration and respect for Hector’s teaching during his most formative years when Cowie was training to be an artist. Cowie admired the clarity, sincerity of expression, honesty of colours and the strength of draughtsmanship and composition in Hector’s works.