Elected ARSA: 16 March 1910
Elected RSA: 13 February 1924
George Fiddes Watt was born in Aberdeen on the 15th of February 1873. He attended night classes at Gray’s School of Art whilst working as a bound apprentice to a firm of lithographers. At 21, he came to Edinburgh and studied for a time at the RSA Life School. During this time, he was able to exhibit and carry out commissions, one being to paint a portrait of ex-Provost Smith of Peterhead. It has been said that this started the foundation of his career as a portrait painter.
In 1905, he exhibited a painting of a lady in white – a portrait of his wife, which received acclamation from the public and artists alike. Among his other notable works are portraits of Lord Haldane; Lord Asquith and Lord Loreburn; Lord Gray; The Duke of Athol and many more.
In 1958 he was awarded the degree of LL.D. by Aberdeen University. He was elected ARSA in March 1910 and RSA in February 1924.
