Biography and current catalogue for

John Blair (1850-1934) 

Born at Hutton, near Berwick upon Tweed in 1850, Blair was an Edinburgh artist who worked largely in watercolour, producing topographical views of towns and villages on the east coast, including Edinburgh and the Borders. His work was colourful and proficient but occasionally outstanding; such works fetch five times or more at auction than his routine output. Blair's topographical watercolours were at their most popular in the mid-1870's, and on occasion showed signs of haste and repetition. The colour became stronger in his later work, reminiscent of Hamilton Glass. Blair exhibited regularly from 1870 until 1920, including 83 works at the Royal Scottish Academy. He died in Edinbugh in 1934, aged 83.