Francis Cadell - Afternoon [1913]

Francis Cadell - Afternoon [1913], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Francis Cadell (Edinburgh, April 12, 1883 - December 6, 1937) was a Scottish painter associated with the Scottish Colourists. Cadell was a left-handed painter. While a student, the President of the Royal Scottish Academy tried to stop him painting with his left hand because 'No artist ever became great who did so.' Cadell swiftly replied 'Sir and did not the great Michelangelo paint with his left hand?' The President did not respond and left the room quickly. A fellow student asked Cadell how he had known that Michelangelo was left-handed. Cadell confessed 'I didn't know but nor did the president.' He is particularly noted for his portraits of glamorous women whom he painted in a loose, impressionistic manner, depicting his subject with vibrant waves of colour. He died in poverty in 1937 in his native Edinburgh.