Alexander J. Musgrove

Alexander Johnson Musgrove (1881–1952) was a Scottish-born Canadian artist.

Life

He was born in Edinburgh, and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Musgrove moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1913 to become Principal of the Winnipeg School of Art. Shortly after arriving, he gave a talk and said:

Canada. so far, has not a distinct school of painting...such a school...would possibly obtain its inspiration from the clear skies, the great plains, and the mountains of the west.{{cite book |last1=Bovey |first1=Patricia |title=Western Voices in Canadian Art |date=2023 |publisher=U of Manitoba Press |location=Winnipeg |page=23|url=https://library.gallery.ca/search~S1?/abovey%2C+pat/abovey+pat/1%2C1%2C24%2CB/frameset&FF=abovey+patricia+e&24%2C%2C24 |access-date=11 November 2023}}

He left the position in 1921, when he opened the Western Art Academy. He founded the Winnipeg Sketch Club in 1914 and he helped to reinvigorate the Manitoba Society of Artists in 1925, being a regular exhibitor at its shows. He specialized in watercolours. He also taught and wrote frequently on art for local newspapers. After 1932, he served for many years as curator for the Winnipeg Art Gallery.{{cite web|author=Gordon Goldsborough |url=http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/musgrove_aj.shtml |title=Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Johnston Musgrove (1882-1952) |website=Mhs.mb.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-12-18}}

He helped found the Manitoba Society of Artists.{{cite web |url=http://www.mbsa.ca/bio |title=Manitoba Society of Artists - Manitoba Society of Artists |website=Mbsa.ca |date=2012-09-04 |accessdate=2015-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116135320/http://mbsa.ca/bio |archive-date=2016-01-16 |url-status=dead }}

Musgrove died in Winnipeg.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcip-chin.gc.ca/application/aac-aic/artiste_detailler_bas-artist_detail_bas.app;jsessionid=FA7AAFBB17039C7F4BB20463B66E3F73?rID=11928&fID=2&lang=en&qlang=en&pID=749&ps=50&sort=AM_ASC |title=Artist/Maker Name "Musgrove, Alex J. (Alexander Johnston)" | Search | Artists in Canada | Canadian Heritage Information Network |website=Rcip-chin.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-12-18}}

In 1986, a retrospective was held of his work.{{cite web|author=Nancy E. Dillow. |url=https://www.library.yorku.ca/find/Record/281594 |title=Holdings: The forgotten innovator, Alexander J. Musgrove / | York University Libraries |website=Library.yorku.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-12-18}}

References

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Further reading

  • {{cite book |last1=Dillow |first1=Nancy E. |title=The forgotten innovator, Alexander J. Musgrove |date=1985 |publisher=Winnipeg Art Gallery |location=Winnipeg|url=https://library.gallery.ca/search~S1?/adillow%2C+nancy/adillow+nancy/1%2C1%2C9%2CB/frameset&FF=adillow+nancy+e&3%2C%2C9 |access-date=10 November 2023}}

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Category:1881 births

Category:1952 deaths

Category:Artists from Edinburgh

Category:Artists from Winnipeg

Category:Alumni of the Glasgow School of Art

Category:Scottish emigrants to Canada

Category:Canadian art curators

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