Maggie Hamilton

Hamilton was born in Glasgow and grew up in Helensburgh after her family moved there.[1] Although she had no formal artistic training, Hamilton became associated with the Glasgow Boys through her elder brother, James Whitelaw Hamilton.[2] In 1883, while staying with her brother at Cockburnspath, where the Glasgow Boys were spending their summers, Hamilton was asked to help James Guthrie's mother with domestic work.[1][2] Guthrie subsequently painted several portraits of Hamilton, most notably his 1892 diploma group portrait, Midsummer.[1]

In 1897 Hamilton married the architect Alexander Nisbet Paterson, the younger brother of the artist James Paterson.[3] The family home, The Long Croft was designed by Paterson and decorated by Hamilton in the Arts and Crafts style with figure and floral designs and embroideries.[4] For some time Hamilton had been creating oil paintings of flowers but also began painting still-life compositions.[4] In the late 1890s her Chinese silk embroideries were widely praised.[1]

Throughout her career, Hamilton had over ninety works shown at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts and over forty at the Royal Scottish Academy.[1] She was a member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists and twice served three-year terms as its Vice President.[2]

Hamilton and Paterson had two children together, including the artist Viola Paterson.[3] In 1977 the Belgrave Gallery in London held a group exhibition of works by members of the Paterson family that included a large embroidery by Hamilton, one that she had worked on for five years.[3] Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum holds examples of her work.[1]

• 1 painting by or after Maggie Hamilton at the Art UK site