Alexander Colquhoun (15 February 1862 – 14 February 1941) was a Scottish-born Australian painter, illustrator and art critic.
Early life and training
Colquhoun was born the youngest child of Margaret (née Wright) and Archibald Colquhoun, merchant on 15 February 1862 and lived at 166 Hospital Street, Glasgow. Migrating to Australia on the Loch Vennacher when he was fourteen, the family arrived in Melbourne in 1876. The eldest daughter Margaret died soon after their arrival in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, where they settled and where the oldest son Archibald, who had trained in Glasgow, practiced at the Alfred Hospital before moving to Bendigo Hospital where in 1880 he was appointed resident surgeon, but died 9 November 1892 shortly after his resignation earlier that year.
Alexander may have had preliminary art training in Glasgow from his father, but the first classes he attended in Australia were at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in its School of Design (drawing) 1877-79 under Thomas Clark. He lived with his brother to study 1880-81 at the Bendigo School of Mines and Industries under Hugh Fegan. where he won prizes in 1880 for "Drawing from the round" and "Freehand Drawing", receiving his qualification "to teach drawing" from the Department of Education in 1881 with the certificate of competency, the highest certificate on this subject issued by the Department.
