Provost David MacKay

David MacKay was Provost of Kilmarnock from 1895 to 1901. His portrait was painted by Sir James Guthrie who had been one of the leading members of the group of painters known as the Glasgow Boys. The work of this group, which had sought to challenge the artistic establishment in Edinburgh, was characterised by social realist ideas and explorations of decorative effects. However by the mid 1890s, many of the ‘Boys’ had come to the end of their experimental years and had become themselves, well respected artists. Guthrie and several others turned increasingly to portraiture in which they achieved considerable financial success. There is also a portrait by fellow Glasgow Boy George Henry in the collection at the Dick Institute. The loose handling of paint and realist style of the experimental years of Guthrie’s career are still evident in this conventional portrait.