4 Shepherd's Road

Alexander Allan lived and had his studio at 4 Shepherd’s Road. He was born in Dundee and studied at Dundee School of Art, in London at Westminster School of Art and at Hospitalfield in Arbroath. He taught in schools in Dundee and Fife and was latterly a lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. Allan is known for his meticulously rendered landscapes, still lifes and portraits. His method of  working was intense and fastidious, involving careful observation, resulting in images of great beauty, balance and exquisite colour.

Allan was not very prolific and had not established a widespread reputation at the time of his early death in 1972.  However, he was widely admired among his contemporaries (often referred to as “an artist’s artist”). His reputation has continued to grow establishing him as one of Scotland’s most important modern artists. His work is held in the collections of the Scottish Arts Council, the Nuffield Collection and the MacManus Gallery, Dundee.