Sir William Alexander Smith

Alexander Ignatius Roche: A Life in Art

Early Life and Education

• Born: 1863, Gallowgate, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
• Roche was the son of Alexander Roche, a milliner. He attended St Mungo's Academy in Bridgeton, Glasgow.
• Initially pursuing architecture, he transitioned to art, studying at the Glasgow School of Art.
• From 1881, he furthered his artistic education at l’École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Gustave Boulanger and Jean-Léon Gérôme.

Parisian Influences and the Grez Colony

• In Paris, Roche befriended fellow Scottish artists including William Kennedy, John Lavery, Thomas Millie Dow, and William Stott.
• He joined a colony of Scots artists in Grez-sur-Loing, south of Fontainebleau, in the early 1880s – a significant hub for plein air painting and artistic experimentation.
• This period was crucial in shaping his impressionistic tendencies and landscape style.

The Glasgow Boys and Early Career

• Upon returning to Scotland in 1885, Roche became involved with the Glasgow Boys, a group of artists who sought to create a distinctly Scottish artistic identity.
• He contributed to murals for the 1888 International Exhibition in Glasgow.
• A trip to Capri in 1888 led to friendships with Fabio Fabbi and Harold Speed.
• Subsequent travels through Venice and Florence culminated in a brief marriage to an Italian woman, which later ended in separation.

Transition to Edinburgh and Shifting Focus

• In 1896, Roche moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh, marking a turning point in his career.
• He began to distance himself from the Glasgow Boys and shifted his artistic focus towards portraiture, alongside continuing landscape work.
• His style evolved during this period, demonstrating a growing maturity and refinement.

Later Life and Artistic Resilience

• Roche remarried in 1906 to Jean Alexander, daughter of Robert Alexander. Their social circle included Joseph Crawhall.
• From 1907 to 1914, they resided at 8 Royal Terrace on Calton Hill, a prestigious address.
• Around 1910, a cerebral haemorrhage resulted in the loss of use of his right hand. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he retrained himself to paint with his left hand.
• Death: Roche died in 1921 at Hailes Cottage near the Water of Leith in Slateford, Edinburgh and is buried in Dean Cemetery.

Exhibitions and Legacy

• Roche exhibited regularly at the Royal Scottish Academy from 1887 and the Royal Academy from 1890-1919.
• He is remembered as a significant figure in late 19th and early 20th century Scottish art, bridging the gap between the Glasgow Boys’ initial rebellion and more individualistic artistic expression.
• His work reflects both his Parisian training and his deep connection to the Scottish landscape and people.