John Maclaughlin-Milne RSA (1886-1957)

1886 - 1957

John Maclauchlan Milne was born in Edinburgh in 1885. Both his father, the traditional landscape artist John Milne and his uncle were successful painters and influenced his early works. He studied at George Watson’s College and went on to the Edinburgh College of Art.

He moved to Canada where he worked for several years tending cattle. On his return to Dundee he joined the Royal Flying Corp and served in France during the First World War. His time in France strongly influenced him. Between 1919 and 1932 he spent long periods of time there. Initially he stayed in Paris which he fell in love with. This is where he painted Une promenade dans le Parc in 1922. It is a particularly large example of his work from this period. He painted it en plein with bold brush strokes. Milne was greatly influenced by the paintings of Paul Cezanne. By 1924 he was in Cassis at the same time as the Scottish Colourists Peploe, Cadell and Duncan Grant. Although a generation younger Milne is often referred to as The Fifth Colourist. In the 1920’s his paintings mainly depicted the Mediterranean, showing the significance of his time spent in St. Tropez. In a Dundee newspaper report from that period it was noted that his time in Paris had influenced his painting to be full of colour and joy of life, a contrast to his Scottish paintings that were more mellow in tone.

Milne finally settled in the Isle of Arran before the outbreak of ... show more

John Maclauchlan Milne was born in Edinburgh in 1885. Both his father, the traditional landscape artist John Milne and his uncle were successful painters and influenced his early works. He studied at George Watson’s College and went on to the Edinburgh College of Art.

He moved to Canada where he worked for several years tending cattle. On his return to Dundee he joined the Royal Flying Corp and served in France during the First World War. His time in France strongly influenced him. Between 1919 and 1932 he spent long periods of time there. Initially he stayed in Paris which he fell in love with. This is where he painted Une promenade dans le Parc in 1922. It is a particularly large example of his work from this period. He painted it en plein with bold brush strokes. Milne was greatly influenced by the paintings of Paul Cezanne. By 1924 he was in Cassis at the same time as the Scottish Colourists Peploe, Cadell and Duncan Grant. Although a generation younger Milne is often referred to as The Fifth Colourist. In the 1920’s his paintings mainly depicted the Mediterranean, showing the significance of his time spent in St. Tropez. In a Dundee newspaper report from that period it was noted that his time in Paris had influenced his painting to be full of colour and joy of life, a contrast to his Scottish paintings that were more mellow in tone.

Milne finally settled in the Isle of Arran before the outbreak of

the Second World War and remained there until his death. His home was near Corrie Harbour in the hamlet of High Corrie. He painted extensively during his time on Arran. The majority of his depictions of the island and his paintings of the West Highlands once again show the influence of his time in Paris and his use of light. The paintings nearly always show bright days and beautiful blue water. His work from this period is free and full of movement and reflects the influence of the Colourists and Van Gogh.