To mark International Women's Day, I present a dozen modern Scottish women painters I think you should know.
The artists are listed in alphabetical order by surname, from Wilhelmina Barns-Graham to Anna Zinkeisen. They range from Mabel Pryde Nicholson, who was born in 1871, to Pat Douthwaite, who was born in 1934 (though she always gave her birth date as 1939).
The works featured cover the period 1910 to 1990. They include genres from portraiture to abstraction, by way of war service, political comment, response to nature and humorous observation.
I have used a generous definition of Scottish, whether by birth, training or residence as a child or adult.
You can find out more the featured artists on Art UK. Enjoy!
Artists featured in this Curation:
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004),
Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002),
Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963),
Norah Neilson Gray (1882–1931),
Beatrice M. L. Huntington (1889–1988),
Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980),
Bet Low (1924–2007),
Margaret Mellis (1914–2009),
Mabel Nicholson (1871–1918),
Anne Redpath (1895–1965),
and 2 more
See all
Cecile Walton (1891–1956) and
Anna Katrina Zinkeisen (1901–1976)
12 artworks
© Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Rocks, St Mary's, Scilly Isles 1953
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
Oil on board
H 102.8 x W 114.3 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
© the Estate of Pat Douthwaite. All rights reserved. DACS 2025. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Dr Helen Wright 1990
Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002)
Oil on canvas
H 144 x W 107 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
© the Eardley estate. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Summer Grasses and Barley on the Clifftop c.1962
Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)
Oil on board
H 110.2 x W 137.8 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Image credit: Argyll and Bute Council
Hôpital Auxiliaire d'Armée 301 – Abbaye de Royaumont 1918
Norah Neilson Gray (1882–1931)
Oil on canvas
H 71 x W 98 cm
Argyll and Bute Council
© The William Syson Foundation. Image credit: University of St Andrews
The Student 1927
Beatrice M. L. Huntington (1889–1988)
Oil on canvas
H 194 x W 109 cm
University of St Andrews
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Rest Time in the Life Class 1923
Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 121.5 x W 106.2 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Merge and Emerge 1961
Bet Low (1924–2007)
Oil on canvas
H 60 x W 121 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
© the estate of Margaret Mellis. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
White Painting (With Red, Blue, Violet and Ochre) 1964
Margaret Mellis (1914–2009)
Oil on hardboard
H 122 x W 101.6 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
Nancy as the Harlequin with a Windsor Chair c.1910
Mabel Nicholson (1871–1918)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 40 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
Oil on canvas
H 77.5 x W 83.8 cm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
Romance – Cecile Walton (1891–1956), with her Children Edward and Gavril 1920
Cecile Walton (1891–1956)
Oil on canvas
H 100.6 x W 150.9 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: North Yorkshire Council
Valley Gardens with the Sun Pavilion in the Background c.1935
Anna Katrina Zinkeisen (1901–1976)
Oil on canvas
H 74 x W 114.3 cm
North Yorkshire Council
Explore artists in this Curation
View all 12-
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004) -
Mabel Nicholson (1871–1918) -
Anna Katrina Zinkeisen (1901–1976) -
Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002) -
Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963) -
Norah Neilson Gray (1882–1931) -
Bet Low (1924–2007) -
Margaret Mellis (1914–2009) -
Cecile Walton (1891–1956) -
Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980) - View all 12