The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perth artist Dan Stephen dies at 92
ARTIST DAN Stephen has died aged 92.
Mr Stephen was brought up in Aberdeen and took up residence in Perth with his wife Ethel almost 30 years ago.
He hung up his brushes at the age of 89, resulting in holding a retrospective exhibition of his life’s work in 2010 at Scone.
He became interested in the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael through his tutor Robert Sivell when he began his training at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen in 1940.
When he finished his teaching qualification he worked for three years as a medical illustrator, drawing corpses in the medical department of Aberdeen University for the publication of a medical text book.
He then won a scholarship from the Royal Scottish Academy, which enabled him to spend a month in London in 1946 and three months in Italy in 1947 where he studied the works of the great Italian painters.
The devastation he had witnessed while in Italy became the inspiration for his 12ft 9in x 7ft 6in painting Reconstruction, which he began painting in 1956. The painting illustrates a fictitious community trying to rebuild the fabric and structure of their environment, as well as their lives.
The painting, which was included in the 1957 summer exhibition of the RoyalAcademy in London, is now in the foyer of the AK Bell Library, after Dan donated it to the people of Perth.
He had variable success in selling his work. The Artists Studio was sold when it was shown in the Royal Academy in London.
Although two of his paintings had been accepted by the Royal Academy and he has sold paintings throughout his career, he has had to supplement his art work with other jobs.
Mr Stephen also supported former Perth youth charity, The Music Arts Drama House.
His last work, the 30ft x 12ft Millennium Mural was completed in 2006 and now hangs in Perth High School.
Jack Cockin, a friend of Mr Stephen, said: “His life’s work is a testament to the talent, philosophy and intellect of a unique artist.”
Mr Stephen’s funeral is on Thursday at Perth Crematorium at 2pm.