Duncan Whyte
1886 - 1953 The beach, Perth 1913-16- oil on canvas
Duncan McGregor Whyte was born in Oban, Argyll in Scotland in 1865.
He arrived in Australia in April-May 1913, having just come from New York and stayed only a short while, returning to Scotland in 1916.
In addition to his sensitive landscape scenes, he spent time travelling around Australia painting portraits (perhaps the most notable being the one of the Archbishop of Western Australia).
After returning to Scotland, Whyte continued to paint and is remembered mostly for his seascapes and Highland landscapes.
The two works by the artist in the Wesfarmers Collection "Landscape" and "The Beach, Perth", show Whyte's characteristic lively and fresh impressionist style and technique, capturing the light and landscape in a style reminiscent of the Heidelberg school.