Sir John Lavery - In His Footsteps

08/09/2026

SALTCOATS - SCOTLAND
John Lavery moved to Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland, as a 10 year old boy. Orphaned at the age of 3, he had been living with relatives on a farm to the west of Belfast. His aunt brought him to Saltcoats to live with members of her family at the Union Loan Office in Countess Street, Saltcoats.

Young Lavery's home was next to the Town House with it's imposing tower which still dominates the street today. (The Town Hall to the left was built in 1892, after Lavery had left the town.) His time there is marked by a plaque on the wall, an inscription on the pavement, and a room in the Town House used for weddings and registrations named the Sir John Lavery Suite.

Wonder what it will look like in another two centuries from now? 🤔

05/09/2026

GLASGOW ART CLUB - SCOTLAND
Lavery spent many happy hours at the Glasgow Art Club, which holds a bronze sculpture of his head produce in 1888 by James Pittendrigh Macgillivray.

In May 1893 the premises at 151 Bath Street closed (now The Butterfly & The Pig café and restaurant) and the current club building at 185 Bath Street opened in June.

Club members John Lavery and his close friend James Guthrie were among the attendees of the Annual Dinner on Tuesday 31st October, which celebrated the move to the new accommodation. No doubt young Charles Rennie Mackintosh was there too. The 25 year old, employed by architects Honeyman & Keppie, had designed many of the internal features for the renovation project.

28/08/2026

DUBLIN - IRELAND
Sir John and Hazel, Lady Lavery, attended Michael Collins' funeral in Dublin on 28th August 1922. Lavery recorded the poignant scene at the Pro-Cathedral.
Thank you to the Michael Collins Centre for the image.

26/08/2026

5 CROMWELL PLACE - SOUTH KENSINGTON - LONDON
John Lavery moved from Glasgow to London in 1898. His palatial studio at 5 Cromwell Place was visited by politicians, royalty, writers and artists. Some came to sit to Lavery, others to watch him at work, and some were there for dinner, a soirée, music and dancing!

26/08/2026

Scottish Colourists talk in Perth in October.....

Join us for an inspiring evening with leading art historian Alice Strang as she introduces her new book celebrating the iconic Scottish Colourists.

In this engaging talk, Alice will explore the lives and vibrant works of four remarkable artists— Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, John Duncan Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter and Samuel John Peploe —offering fresh insights into the creative journeys of this influential group. Drawing on her extensive research, she will share fascinating discoveries unearthed from archives and libraries across Scotland, including highlights from The Fergusson Archive, cared for by Culture Perth & Kinross.

📍 Perth Art Gallery
📅 Oct 7 2026
🕡️ 6:30pm to 7:30pm | Doors open at 6.15pm
👛 £7.50/£5
🎟️ - https://buff.ly/0JuFgSS

📕 Commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland, Alice’s book, The Scottish Colourists: Art and Life, will be released in September 2026.

📧 For any questions around accessibility for this event, please get in touch with [email protected]

24/08/2026

DUBLIN - IRELAND
On 24th August 1922, Sir John Lavery spent the day at the chapel of St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, painting Michael Collins for the last time as his blood stained body lay in state.
Sir John and Hazel, Lady Lavery, were in Dublin in the summer of 1922 and had met up with the Commander in Chief several times, just before he was shot dead on 22nd August.
John had painted Collins' portrait at his studio in London the previous year and Hazel had become infatuated with the handsome Irish leader. Hazel and Collins corresponded privately, including writing poems for one another.
Following Collins' sudden death, Hazel was devastated. The Laverys stayed on in Ireland to attend Collins' funeral and complete the painting.
Thank you to the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin, for the image.

As Ireland marks Micahel Collins centenary of death, centenary today, the gallery reflects on how key historical figures and events influenced post-impressionist movements. Michael Collins (Love of Ireland), now on view in gallery 5, commemorates Collins’ devotion to Ireland. Collins is depicted lying-in-state after he was shot during the Civil War that followed the ratification of the Treaty.

The story of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the role played by the artists John and Hazel Lavery are explored in the exhibition, Studio & State, a collaboration between Hugh Lane Gallery and the National Museum of Ireland, which continues at Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, throughout 2022.

24/08/2026

GARTMORE HOUSE - STIRLING - SCOTLAND
John Lavery would have approved of the activities enjoyed by current guests at Gartmore House! Lavery visited this country mansion in the 1890s when his friend Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham lived there. He painted the adventurer, author and politician "Don Roberto" several times and enjoyed travelling with him in Morocco. Lavery met the enigmatic Mrs Cunninghame Graham a view times - I wonder what he made of her unusual accent? Presenting herself as exotic Gabriela, born in Chile of French and Spanish heritage, her true Yorkshire identity was unknown until the 1980s! Now the house hosts arts and crafts holidays, including drawing and painting en plein air.

24/08/2026

SALTCOATS - AYRSHIRE - SCOTLAND
Ten year old John Lavery moved from Ireland to Scotland to live with his aunt's relatives in Countess Street, Saltcoats.. His "uncle", Thomas Byrne, ran the Union Loan pawn office situated on the left of the photo below, just past the clock tower. An engraved paving stone there notes the link to the famous artist.

Thank you for the fabulous photo!

A shot from last night looking up Raise Street from Countess Street, Saltcoats.