A Famous Singer Loves to Paint

The celebrated 20th century contralto singer Kathleen Ferrier was a frequent visitor to No 6 Heriot Row.  Her accompanist Gerald Moore tells us.

“Kathleen loved to paint. She had read "Painting as a Pastime" and it inspired her to take it up as a hobby.

Two of her dearest friends, Mr and Mrs Alex Maitland were infected by her enthusiasm and followed her example. It pleased Kathleen enormously that they should do so for they had long been connoisseurs.

In their home in Edinburgh, where she spent many happy hours, you can see Renoir, van Gogh, Degas, Gauguin and the works of other masters, and you can see the opus of Kathleen. This is signed KK meaning Klever Kath and I am inclined to think it is as highly prized by the Maitlands as any other in their collection even though it would never be hung at the Royal Academy.”

The wonderful collection of Impressionist paintings mentioned in this story was donated to the National Gallery of Scotland and forms a large part of their Impressionist gallery, on view today.