John Duncan Fergusson

John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961) was a Scottish painter and sculptor, recognized as one of the four principal artists of the Scottish Colourists movement. Born in Leith, near Edinburgh, he initially studied medicine before devoting himself to art.

Largely self-taught, Fergusson made frequent visits to Paris from 1898, where he absorbed the influences of Impressionism and later Fauvism. He settled in Paris from 1907 to 1914, becoming friends with artists such as Samuel Peploe and exhibiting at the Salon d'Automne.

His work is characterized by bold, vibrant colors, strong brushwork, and subjects ranging from landscapes and still lifes to figure paintings and portraits. After World War I, he divided his time between London, Paris, and Glasgow, eventually settling permanently in Glasgow in 1939. Fergusson was also a sculptor, writer, and founder of the New Art Club in Glasgow.

His paintings are held in major collections including the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and the Fergusson Gallery in Perth.