In this special blog, Ellie—an MSc student at the University of Glasgow—joins us as a guest writer. Ellie is currently completing a Masters in Museum Education and, as part of the final module Museums, Education and Curriculum, has been undertaking a two‑week placement at Perth Art Gallery, where they have been digitising the Fergusson Archive.

Emily, who recently joined Culture Perth and Kinross as the Fergusson Collection Assistant, and myself, have been working in the former Fergusson Gallery, now known as the Fergusson Store, which holds a collection of artworks and archival material relating to Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson. He was one of the most influential painters of the 20th century; setting up the Glasgow Art Club, working with his creative partner Margaret Morris, and associating with artists such as Peploe; Millais; and notably, a certain Pablo Picasso.

Ellie photographing a letter

The digitisation project is taking place in lieu of the archives being moved to Perth Art Gallery next year.

These last two weeks we have been going through personal letters belonging to Fegusson and Morris, which so far have covered exhibition plans, openings and congratulatory messages, along with party invitations and book releases. Within the archives we have also been able to build up an interesting picture of Fergusson and Morris’ inner circle of friends and associates.

Emily and I were able to build up an interesting timeline which gave us an understanding of what was happening to the pair and their friends during the war years. This includes: how the art world was being affected with museums going into the hands of ‘care takers’, book releases which were “War permitting”, and finally discovering the story of their friends Henry McColl and Jean Le Roux, who escaped the occupation of France by the Nazis.

Ellie creating metadata

Through the Fergusson Letters, we have also been able to identify people within Fergusson’s paintings, such as Anne Estelle Rice, who is portrayed in “The White Ruff”, painted in 1907. We learned how Rice stayed friends with the creative couple for a number of years, inviting them to her shows, illustrating the Rhythm magazine, as well as looking after other members of the inner circle; Jo Davidson, an American artist famous for his sculptures, and his wife, the painter Florence Davidson (formerly Lucius).

Throughout this placement, I have been able to apply the theory I have learnt in university to the hands-on skills I have gained working with archives and collections, such as packing 100-year-old costumes, creating metadata, and measuring up the collections to prepare for packing. I have had such an inspiring time working with the collections team and staff at Perth Art Gallery. My next project will be carrying out research with them on how we can engage young people from rural communities with Perth Art Gallery!

Ellie working with Margaret Morris’ shoes