The second son of James Mann, merchant and collector, he took drawing lessons from the age of ten with Robert Greenlees (1820–1894) and then attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art, where Greenlees was headmaster.
Influenced by the Hague school and by Jules Bastien-Lepage, his picture A Bead Stringer, Venice gained an honourable mention at the Salon in 1885. After a public controversy over this painting when it was exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute, Mann settled in England, at West Hagbourne, Berkshire, and later in the neighbouring village of Blewbury, where he painted a series of views of the Downs and portraits of country people. Mann travelled extensively in Britain, paying several visits to the coast in Angus and Fife, and to Walberswick, Suffolk.
His travels also covered Europe and the Americas. A visit to Venice in 1884 was Mann's first artistic venture beyond Britain and the immediate environs of Paris; this was followed by a voyage to the Caribbean and the Southern States of America, perhaps inspired by American artist friend in Paris. From 1890 to 1892 he lived with his family in Tangiers. Later he travelled to Madrid through Southern Spain in 1892 accompanied by John Lavery, another alumnus of the Académie Julian.
He recorded his visits and ideas for studio compositions in sketchbooks, using photography as well to assist his memory of a subject. In 1895 Mann's work was exhibited in London at the Barbican and in Dublin at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. But he preferred to "live away from the haunts of other artists" because the relative prosperity which he owed to his family made it unnecessary to pay much attention to exhibition institutions, patrons and dealers.
Mann owed his drawing skills to Rodolphe Julien who regarded the study of the live model as indispensable to those who desired skilled draughtsmanship. However, his painterly techniques was required from Mihály Munkácsy although the apprenticeship with him didn't last long due to some incompatibility of temperament. Through Carolus Duran, Mann learned the importance of tonal values for the purpose of self-expression, which had been shown in some of his early figure paintings, such as Artificial Flower Workers and The Tapestry Workers.
Mann preferred the arcadia of the countryside. He painted gleaners, faggot gatherers, hop pickers and sheepfolds. Mann was also greatly attracted by the stillness of the deserted slow-moving waterways of rural England; the Alde and the Dorset Avon, beloved by many Scottish artists of the period. Another recurring subject is that of the children whether playing on the beach or asleep in the sun. His travelling led to paintings of Orientalist subjects such as some Arabian portraits or Tangier beach scenes.
From his early training in Glasgow, his early works followed the traditional Victorian landscape style, evoking a sense of prosaic naturalism and romanticism. Typical works include and Sheepfold. Later, he moved to a much lighter palette. However his handling continued to be restrained, and for all the brilliant of his color, a respect of Corot-esque tonality was retained. Typical works include Tangiers scenes and some haystacks studies.
References
N. Garstin, Obituary, Studio, vol. 46 (1909), pp. 300–5;
James Caw, Scottish Painting Past and Present, 1620-1908 (Edinburgh, 1908), pp. 384–5; ISBN0-901571-71-7 (reprint)
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire des Peintres Sculpteurs Dessinateurs et Graveurs, 8 vols. (Librairie Gründ, 1956–61);
J. Johnson and A. Gruetzner, Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940 (Woodbridge, 1880);
Christopher Newall, Alexander Mann, 1853-1908 (London: Fine Art Society, 1983);
Martin Hopkinson, Alexander Mann: Sketches and Correspondence with his Wife and Family (London: Fine Art Society, 1985);
Helen Pickthorn, Alexander Mann, The Grove Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed 1 December 2003)
Kenneth McConkey, Impressionism in Britain (Yale University Press 1995) ISBN0-300-06334-2
Roger Billcliffe, The Glasgow Boys: The Glasgow School of Painting 1875-1895, (John Murray 2002), ISBN0-7195-6033-0
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alexander Mann.
"Your Paintings". Alexander Mann Paintings. BBC & Public Catalogue Foundation. 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
January 28, 2023
alexander, mann, bishop, pittsburgh, bishop, january, 1853, january, 1908, scottish, landscape, genre, painter, member, english, club, royal, institute, painters, born1853died1908known, forpaintingthe, sheepfold, painting, contents, biography, artistic, style,. For the bishop of Pittsburgh see Alexander Mann bishop Alexander Mann 22 January 1853 26 January 1908 was a Scottish landscape and genre painter He was a member of New English Art Club and Royal Institute of Oil Painters Alexander MannBorn1853Died1908Known forPaintingThe Sheepfold by Alexander Mann Alexander Mann painting Contents 1 Biography 2 Artistic style 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditAlexander Mann was born in Glasgow Scotland on 22 January 1853 He died in London on 26 January 1908 He is buried in Blewbury Church Oxfordshire The second son of James Mann merchant and collector he took drawing lessons from the age of ten with Robert Greenlees 1820 1894 and then attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art where Greenlees was headmaster In 1877 he went to Paris and enrolled at the Academie Julian and then studied under Mihaly Munkacsy and from 1881 to 1885 under Carolus Duran From 1883 to 1893 Mann exhibited in London at the Royal Academy Royal Institute of Oil Painters Fine Art Society New Gallery Ridley Art Club New English Art Club and Society of British Artists a society that appointed James McNeill Whistler its president in 1886 At the same year he was invited to become the first Scottish member of the New English Art Club and was joined by several of his friends notably John Lavery Thomas Millie Dow of the Glasgow Boys and Norman Garstin Influenced by the Hague school and by Jules Bastien Lepage his picture A Bead Stringer Venice gained an honourable mention at the Salon in 1885 After a public controversy over this painting when it was exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute Mann settled in England at West Hagbourne Berkshire and later in the neighbouring village of Blewbury where he painted a series of views of the Downs and portraits of country people Mann travelled extensively in Britain paying several visits to the coast in Angus and Fife and to Walberswick Suffolk His travels also covered Europe and the Americas A visit to Venice in 1884 was Mann s first artistic venture beyond Britain and the immediate environs of Paris this was followed by a voyage to the Caribbean and the Southern States of America perhaps inspired by American artist friend in Paris From 1890 to 1892 he lived with his family in Tangiers Later he travelled to Madrid through Southern Spain in 1892 accompanied by John Lavery another alumnus of the Academie Julian He recorded his visits and ideas for studio compositions in sketchbooks using photography as well to assist his memory of a subject In 1895 Mann s work was exhibited in London at the Barbican and in Dublin at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art But he preferred to live away from the haunts of other artists because the relative prosperity which he owed to his family made it unnecessary to pay much attention to exhibition institutions patrons and dealers In 1893 he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Today he is regarded as one of the Glasgow Boys although he was never an active member Artistic style EditMann owed his drawing skills to Rodolphe Julien who regarded the study of the live model as indispensable to those who desired skilled draughtsmanship However his painterly techniques was required from Mihaly Munkacsy although the apprenticeship with him didn t last long due to some incompatibility of temperament Through Carolus Duran Mann learned the importance of tonal values for the purpose of self expression which had been shown in some of his early figure paintings such as Artificial Flower Workers and The Tapestry Workers Mann preferred the arcadia of the countryside He painted gleaners faggot gatherers hop pickers and sheepfolds Mann was also greatly attracted by the stillness of the deserted slow moving waterways of rural England the Alde and the Dorset Avon beloved by many Scottish artists of the period Another recurring subject is that of the children whether playing on the beach or asleep in the sun His travelling led to paintings of Orientalist subjects such as some Arabian portraits or Tangier beach scenes From his early training in Glasgow his early works followed the traditional Victorian landscape style evoking a sense of prosaic naturalism and romanticism Typical works include By the Findhorn Morayshire and Sheepfold Later he moved to a much lighter palette However his handling continued to be restrained and for all the brilliant of his color a respect of Corot esque tonality was retained Typical works include Tangiers scenes and some haystacks studies References EditN Garstin Obituary Studio vol 46 1909 pp 300 5 James Caw Scottish Painting Past and Present 1620 1908 Edinburgh 1908 pp 384 5 ISBN 0 901571 71 7 reprint E Benezit Dictionnaire des Peintres Sculpteurs Dessinateurs et Graveurs 8 vols Librairie Grund 1956 61 J Johnson and A Gruetzner Dictionary of British Artists 1880 1940 Woodbridge 1880 Christopher Newall Alexander Mann 1853 1908 London Fine Art Society 1983 Martin Hopkinson Alexander Mann Sketches and Correspondence with his Wife and Family London Fine Art Society 1985 Helen Pickthorn Alexander Mann The Grove Dictionary of Art Online ed L Macy Accessed 1 December 2003 Kenneth McConkey Impressionism in Britain Yale University Press 1995 ISBN 0 300 06334 2 Roger Billcliffe The Glasgow Boys The Glasgow School of Painting 1875 1895 John Murray 2002 ISBN 0 7195 6033 0External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alexander Mann Your Paintings Alexander Mann Paintings BBC amp Public Catalogue Foundation 2013 Retrieved 10 June 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alexander Mann amp oldid 1132225814, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
