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Lot Essay
The Egotist was painted in 1927 as the artist's Diploma work for the annual award held at Glasgow School of Art. This early work clearly illustrates in structure, the influence of the 15th century Italian artist Andrea Mantegna, who together with Bellini were greatly instrumental to the artist's stylistic development.
The compostition examines the relationship between Man and the land, a theme which is fundamental to many of his early paintings. The capriccio of Egyptian and Roman arches, amphitheatres and temples represent symbols of our glorious architectural past which are now under threat from developers of the modern age.
The compostition examines the relationship between Man and the land, a theme which is fundamental to many of his early paintings. The capriccio of Egyptian and Roman arches, amphitheatres and temples represent symbols of our glorious architectural past which are now under threat from developers of the modern age.