William Crosbie RSA RGI( Glasgow School ) Female Portrait - Mixed Media

Original Mixed Media Portrait on Paper

William Crosbie RSA RGI - Mixed media on paper
Female Portrait

Elegant Glasgow School modernist female portrait by renowned Scottish artist William Crosbie RSA.

Key Details

Artist: William Crosbie RSA (1915–1999)
Title: Untitled (Female Portrait)
Medium: Mixed media on paper (ink, watercolour and pencil)
Support: Paper, framed under mount and glass
Signature: Signed “Crosbie” upper left
Dimensions: Image: 40 × 30 cm (15.7 × 11.8 in); framed: 61 × 51 cm (24.0 × 20.1 in)
Condition: Artwork in excellent condition; gilt frame presentable but with wear, minor chips and dents. Complimentary professional reframe available on request.
Provenance: Private UK collection; retains Halcyon Gallery, Birmingham label to verso.

Description

A beautiful and expressive original female portrait by renowned Scottish modernist William Crosbie RSA. Executed in mixed media with ink, watercolour and pencil on paper, the work combines confident, economical line with soft tonal washes to create a quietly introspective and poetic image. The portrait reflects Crosbie’s celebrated Glasgow School modernist aesthetic — stylised yet sensitive, blending modernist line, delicate colour and classical influence. The sitter’s pose and expression are handled with great assurance, giving the piece both decorative appeal and real depth of character. Presented in a classic gilt frame under mount and glass. The frame shows signs of handling age, including slight chips and dents visible in the photographs, but remains perfectly serviceable for display. A free professional reframe can be arranged for the buyer if a new frame is preferred. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an original work by a highly regarded Scottish modernist, suitable for both serious collectors of Glasgow School art and those seeking a distinctive statement portrait for the home.

About the Artist

William Crosbie RSA (1915–1999) was born in China to Scottish parents and moved to Glasgow at the age of 11. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and was awarded the prestigious Haldane Travelling Scholarship, which took him to Paris where he trained with Fernand Léger and Aristide Maillol. On returning to Scotland, Crosbie became a key figure in a vibrant post-war cultural circle that included poet Hugh MacDiarmid, painter J.D. Fergusson and architect Basil Spence. His practice was wide-ranging, encompassing intimate portraits, surrealist compositions, murals, book illustration and theatre design. Crosbie’s work is represented in major public collections including the National Galleries of Scotland, the British Museum, the Royal Collection and numerous UK museums and universities. His market remains strong, with original works in desirable subjects and media achieving significant prices at auction and in gallery settings.

Estimated Date

20th century, likely mid–late career period for William Crosbie RSA (c. post-war to late 20th century).

Provenance & Notes

From a private UK collection, retaining its original label to the reverse from Halcyon Gallery, Birmingham — a well-known gallery that has exhibited major modern British and international artists. The combination of strong gallery provenance, excellent condition and a classic Crosbie subject makes this a particularly attractive example for collectors of Scottish modernism and Glasgow School-related work.