Art, Cadell, The Orange Blind

  


I've written about Cadell before, and yesterday this article in the Scotsman caught my eye. It makes interesting reading, I've admired the work of Cadell for years but I didn't know too much about his life, this article fills in the blanks, puts flesh on the bones...............

How did one of Scotland's most successful artists fall from glittering, privileged world to die in poverty?

published Date: 08 October 2011
By Tim Cornwell

Article in full here

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/How-did-one-of-Scotland39s.6849787.jp

HE IS one of Scotland's most revered Colourist painters whose work sells today for more than £500,000.
But a curator researching the life of FCB Cadell has uncovered the sad story of how the artist's final years were dogged by ill-health before his death in penury, aged 54.
Alice Strang, the curator working on the National Galleries of Scotland's first exhibition devoted to Cadell in 70 years discovered that the artist who enjoyed a bohemian life of parties and drinking in Edinburgh, died in 1937 with an uncashed cheque for £50 in his pocket from a fund for indigent artists.

In the months before his death, Cadell, who was suffering from cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, wrote to patrons offering to sell his paintings for as little as £10. He also held half-price sales of his work at his home and on one occasion turned up at a neighbour's home in such a dishevelled state that his host would not let him in.
Cadell's will also confirms that he left his entire estate to his loyal "manservant" and live-in companion of more than 20 years, Charles Oliver. "Except family portraits and silver which I bequeath to Jean (his sister] and Gruff (Jean's son], I leave everything to Charles Oliver, my most faithful friend," he wrote. It is likely to have included scores of artworks, potentially worth millions today, but almost unsellable at the time.
Cadell's estate was valued at less than £500 and the uncashed check from the Alexander Nasmyth Fund for Decayed Scottish Artists represented a substantial share of his wealth. "It's quite poignant," said Ms Strang.

It's a far cry from the glamorous world Cadell inhabited as a younger man and the success he was to achieve after his death. Last year, Cadell's Florian's Cafe in Venice told for  £553,250, a record for the artist and one which confirmed his place among the most successful Scottish artists. An Edinburgh Academy schoolboy, Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell was taken to Paris by his mother as a teenager to study painting after his talent was singled out by the Glasgow Boys painter, Arthur Melville…............................more of his work here
http://forgetmenot525.multiply.com/photos/album/320/Cadell 

delete reply acousticeagle wrote on Oct 10, '11 What a tragic end. It makes me think about the sensitivity that some artists can have. Some need looking after, I think and need a benefactor. Anyone can be an alcholic, but I find that there's also the artistic temperament at work in some. And it can be a delicate and melancholic constitution.

delete reply mitchylr wrote on Oct 10, '11 Yes, your page looks back to normal now.

delete reply bennett1 wrote on Oct 10, '11 The article is indeed illuminating. I hope we have come further as a society in accepting and celebrating homosexuality.

delete reply bennett1 wrote on Oct 10, '11 Your avatar is back as well as that lovely orange shade. Artists often swim against the stream of society and those who are truly innovative all the more so.

delete reply mitchylr wrote on Oct 10, '11 I've had problems with Multiply over the weekend. I was locked out for more than 24 hours, and I've been told that while I was, a lot of my page couldn't be seen. It seems ok again now. You still seem to be having problems. As I write this, your avatar seems to have disappeared. Cadell is not an artist I'm familiar with, but his story appears to parallel that of other artists who went on to greater fame after death. Will have a look at the album you posted later, off to work now........

delete reply veryfrank wrote on Oct 9, '11 I definitely remember Cadell, the orange shade is unforgettable. That is an interesting article. Always so sad that creativity takes on a greater appreciation and value after one's death.

delete reply nemo4sun wrote on Oct 9, '11 ((((hug))) well i apperciate all your work a tragic end to a lovely artist :)

edit delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 9, '11 pestep55 said I had the problem last week, some pics loaded, some would not ahhhhhhhhhhh..............more of the multiply 'new improved service' no doubt...........its still a bit on and off, there are another 6 pictures of his paintings that i gave up trying to load.

delete reply pestep55 wrote on Oct 9, '11 forgetmenot525 said been trying on and off all day to post this, the pictures would not load I had the problem last week, some pics loaded, some would not, and not all links would work, finally got it all working today /:-)

delete reply esoterika713 wrote on Oct 9, '11 Nice Art Sundy Loretta. Cadell had a similar life style to some other artists as well. The starving artist comes to mind. Funny that when great artists like Cadell and Van Gogh often aren't recognized for their work until after they die. Strange that. ")

edit delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 9, '11 Grrrrr what on earth is wrong with Multiply today??..............been trying on and off all day to post this, the pictures would not load.........never mind, seems ok now :-)