James Kay (1858-1942) was a Scottish artist known for his portrayals of life and landscapes in Western Scotland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His paintings often featured marine scenes, with a particular focus on the Clyde Estuary and the towns and villages nearby. His use of color and light is considered evocative and distinctive.
Born in Glasgow, Kay studied at the Glasgow School of Art, where he was exposed to the city's thriving artistic community, including the group that would later become known as the Glasgow Boys, a collective of artists who challenged the orthodoxies of the Victorian art world. While he was not a member of this group, their influence is evident in his work.
In addition to his local scenes, Kay also painted in locations around Europe, including France and Holland. He was particularly inspired by the works of the Impressionists, and this influence can be seen in his own paintings.
Kay exhibited widely during his lifetime, showing his work at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy in London and the Royal Scottish Academy. His paintings remain popular today and can be found in many public and private collections.
Despite his commercial success, Kay remained deeply committed to his own artistic vision. He is often cited as a prime example of an artist who was able to balance commercial success with artistic integrity, staying true to his own vision while also appealing to a broad audience.
NOTE1: James Kay wrote Brittany as the region where Mont Saint-Michel is. That is wrong since it's Normandy sinec the year 1030, a hot contention bit between the two regions.
NOTE2: Access to Mont Saint-Michel by car or bus has been discontinued. Visitors are now required to park their vehicles in one of the designated parking zones, from where they can either take a shuttle service or proceed on foot.
We found only one painting of James Kay which he made in Mont Saint-Michel.