The John Duncan Fergusson Gallery
JD Fergusson was a Scottish Colourist painter born in Edinburgh.
“Everyone in Scotland should refuse to have anything to do with black or dirty and dingy colours, and insist on clean colours in everything. I remember when I was young any colour was considered a sign of vulgarity. Greys and blacks were the only colours for people of taste and refinement. Good pictures had to be black, grey, brown or drab. Well! let’s forget it, and insist on things in Scotland being of colour that makes for and associates itself with light, hopefulness, health and happiness.”
J. D. Fergusson, Modern Scottish Painting, William MacLellan, Glasgow 1943.
The Fergusson Gallery in Perth celebrates the life and work of John Duncan Fergusson and Margaret Morris, pioneers of modern art and dance. The couple were together for nearly 50 years and the collection houses artwork, sketchbooks, costume, correspondence, photographs, furniture and hats!
The Gallery is situated in a restored water tower, built from 1829–32, designed by Dr Adam Anderson, Rector of Perth Academy. Built in the style of a roman temple, 5 foot thick walls support a 146 000 gallon domed storage tank made from cast-iron sections bolted together. Behind it a boiler house with a chimney 110 foot high can be seen with classically styled chimney pot.
‘AQUAM IGNE ET AQUA HAURIO’
(‘I draw water by fire and water’).