Patrick Downie - Paintings, Drawings and Prints

Although Patrick Downie is mainly famous for his paintings of late nineteenth century Greenock he also painted a wide range of other locations, produced drawings as well as creating works which were used in prints and illustrations. Downie lived in various locations during his long life which included Greenock, Paisley, Tradeston in Glasgow, Skelmorlie, West Kilbride, Dunbar and Largs. He produced many works associated with these locations and other places in central Scotland.

He started to show his work around 1885 and was soon showing his paintings in the major London galleries. In 1906 Glasgow Corporation bought a winter scene entitled 'The Day of Rest' (featuring a Greenock harbour under snow) and Paisley Corporation purchased a work showing the setting sun and shipping on the Clyde which had been exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition in 1911. Downie's work even attracted royal attention. When King George V and Queen Mary visited the Institute of the Fine Arts in Glasgow, the Queen, whose attention had been drawn to a picture by E.A. Hornel, said "I do not care for that style but there is a picture I like", pointing to one signed by Patrick Downie!

Some idea of the wide range Downie's exhibition venues can be seen this partial list: He exhibted at The Arlington Gallery, London on 2 occasions, The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts 133 times, The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool on 36 occasions, Manchester City Art Gallery on 7 occasions, at The Royal Academy on 16 occasions, at The Royal Society of British Artists on 3 occasions, four times at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and at the Royal Scottish Academy on 54 occasions and at the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour on 126 occasions. He also exhibited his work abroad.