Item NMC/1369 - Study of peacock

Born Dundee. Painter of portraits and figure subjects, also a mural and church decorator and stained glass designer. Trained Glasgow School of Art. Won Guthrie Award, a travelling scholarship and the Torrance Memorial Prize. Modelled his work on the Early Renaissance combined with developments in ecclesiastical stained glass. Lived in Glasgow where for many years he was Professor of Mural Painting, Glasgow School of Art until resigning 1939. An eccentric, he was attracted to the circus and, abandoning Glasgow, he trained and managed a troupe of acrobatic birds known as 'Ancell's 40 Painted Pigeons' which toured the provinces with his wife a professional acrobat. Among his principal works are 'The Pilgrims', 'Where Sinks the Voice of Music into a Silence' and 'And Thou Art Wrapped and Swayed in Dreams'. Awarded ARSA 1935 but withdrawn forty years later. Exhibited RA(2), RSA 1925, RSW(3), GI(20) & L(5). Represented in Edinburgh City Collection.