Portrait of Alexander McGibbon

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. Portrait of Glasgow architect Alexander McGibbon. Inscribed above: Alexander McGibbon A.R.I.B.A.

Maurice Grieffenhagen (15 Dec 1862-26 Dec 1931) was a painter of portraits and idyllic subjects, and a poster designer, decorator and illustrator, born in London, of Baltic German descent. he entered the R.A. Schools 1878; and won the Armitage Medal and other awards. From 1887 he was much engaged in book illustration, particularly for Rider Haggard's novels and for periodicals. He was influenced by Rossetti and the Venetians. He exhibited at the R.A., chiefly portraits, from 1884; A.R.A. 1916, R.A. 1922, and also exhibited at Munich, Dresden, Ghent and elsewhere. He taught at Glasgow School of Art 1906-1929. He decorated the British Pavilions for the Paris Exhibition 1925 and Antwerp 1930, but died in London the following year.
Greiffenhagen was appointed as Professor of the Life Classes (with responsibility for Drawing and Painting, Composition and so on) in 1906 and retired from the School in 1929. Greiffenhagen worked at the School for six months of every year. He kept a house in London and visited GSA when necessary to set work and check the progress of his students, leaving much of the actual teaching in the hands of his assistant professors, David Forrester Wilson and others. Greiffenhagen had to be present for examinations, the end of the year diploma show and at other formal occasions but for the most part he was allowed plenty of time to himself to ensure that his own career as an artist did not suffer. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1922 at the same time as another GSA staff member Robert Anning Bell, and a luncheon was held for School staff to celebrate the occasion.

Presented to McGibbon on his retirement from GSA 1925. Bequeathed to GSA 1938, presented 1945.

Maurice Grieffenhagen (15 Dec 1862-26 Dec 1931) was a painter of portraits and idyllic subjects, and a poster designer, decorator and illustrator, born in London, of Baltic German descent. he entered the R.A. Schools 1878; and won the Armitage Medal and other awards. From 1887 he was much engaged in book illustration, particularly for Rider Haggard's novels and for periodicals. He was influenced by Rossetti and the Venetians. He exhibited at the R.A., chiefly portraits, from 1884; A.R.A. 1916, R.A. 1922, and also exhibited at Munich, Dresden, Ghent and elsewhere. He taught at Glasgow School of Art 1906-1929. He decorated the British Pavilions for the Paris Exhibition 1925 and Antwerp 1930, but died in London the following year.
Greiffenhagen was appointed as Professor of the Life Classes (with responsibility for Drawing and Painting, Composition and so on) in 1906 and retired from the School in 1929. Greiffenhagen worked at the School for six months of every year. He kept a house in London and visited GSA when necessary to set work and check the progress of his students, leaving much of the actual teaching in the hands of his assistant professors, David Forrester Wilson and others. Greiffenhagen had to be present for examinations, the end of the year diploma show and at other formal occasions but for the most part he was allowed plenty of time to himself to ensure that his own career as an artist did not suffer. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1922 at the same time as another GSA staff member Robert Anning Bell, and a luncheon was held for School staff to celebrate the occasion.

Oil on canvas, framed
Dimensions: 920 x 810 mm

Exhibited: Glasgow, Royal Glasgow Institute; 1925. Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy; 1929. Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art; 1971. Edinburgh, Scottish Arts Council 1980.

Published