Gnats by Alexander Mann, 1884
Alexander Mann (1853 - 1908) was a Scottish artist based in Glasgow, of the 'Glasgow School' but never a 'Glasgow Boy'. His book, Gnats was published in 1884 by the Fine Art Society in London. The full title reads :
Gnats and other Hindrances to the Successful Accomplishment of Landscape Painting, Delineated in Seventeen Etchings by A. Mann.
An utterly delightful trifle, very much along the lines of Smarts Ye Life and Troubles of Ane Artist in Ye Highlands of Scotland (see page on this website), but perhaps a little more sophisticated.
The artist starts, encumbered but hopeful.
Gnat No. 1 - The Wind, which makes the selection of a Subject a difficulty,
And shows but little disposition to abate.
However, after a time, it relents and a start is made.
But Gnat No. 2 soon arrives, taking the form of a lengthened search after a missing Colour,
which of course is one there is no doing without.
But it ultimately turns up, and with it Gnat No. 2 departs....
Now for Work!
But back again comes Gnat No. 1:
This time most pertinaciously.
And destructively.
But at last again takes itself off. After a Storm, a Calm - and a Pipe.
And to Work once more. Arrival of Gnat No. 3; this time the real Animal.
Which usually presages Gnat No. 4,
And promises to be as persistent as its predecessors
And is even more successful
For it sends the Artist Home, thoroughly vanquished.
