Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 18 works by Alec Grieve in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Alec Grieve's most famous painting is Ploughman and Crows (1903). The Moonlight Sonata (1905) and Mrs Davidson (1902) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 18 works by Alec Grieve in our catalog, the gallery presents the 17 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
Alec Grieve produced Ploughman and Crows about 1903. This work represents a significant moment in the artist's career, moving beyond his earlier landscape studies to incorporate subtle political symbolism. The piece was first presented to the public at the Graphic Arts Association exhibition in 1903.
A woman sits at the piano, her form partially lost to the dim light. She is surrounded by a drift of music scores, paper ghosts scattered in the quiet. The scene captures a private moment of performance, an interpretation of a famous composition rendered in oil on canvas. The air in the room feels heavy, thick with the weight of the notes being played. There is a stillness here that…
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Alec Grieve | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Dundee Art Gallery And Museum |
Dundee | 2 | Mrs Davidson, Miss Agnes Husband |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Alec Grieve produced Ploughman and Crows about 1903. This work represents a significant moment in the artist's career, moving beyond his earlier landscape studies to incorporate subtle political symbolism. The piece was first presented to the public at the Graphic Arts Association exhibition in 1903.
Ploughman and Crows (1903). The Moonlight Sonata (1905) and Mrs Davidson (1902) come next.
39 years old: Ploughman and Crows dates from 1903, and Alec Grieve was born in 1864.
Ploughman and Crows, The Moonlight Sonata, Mrs Davidson, The Artist's Wife, Dundee from Tayport, Miss Agnes Husband, Pont du Cheval, Bruges, Robert Stirton (1849–1917), President of Dundee Trades and Labour Council (1904–1911), Sunset on the Tay and Pont du Cheval, Bruges. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 18 works by Alec Grieve, dated from 1902 to 1926.
Mostly in Dundee Art Gallery And Museum (Dundee). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1920s: 5 of the 17 works on this page were made then, Sunset on the Tay among them.
On this page, the earliest is Mrs Davidson (1902) and the latest Newburgh on Tay (1926).
Mrs Davidson and Miss Agnes Husband: the Dundee Art Gallery And Museum, Dundee holds 2 of the works on this page.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1864, Alec Grieve’s artistic journey was one deeply intertwined with the evocative landscapes and shifting light of his native land. Initially trained at Dundee School of Art, he quickly distinguished himself through a unique approach to depicting the natural world – a fascination with twilight, mist, and the subtle nuances of color that defined the Scottish Highlands and the Tay River region. Grieve wasn’t merely an observer; he was a translator, capturing not just what he saw but also the feeling, the mood, the very essence of these places.
Grieve's early career unfolded against a backdrop of artistic experimentation and social change. He began as a commercial artist in London, working for publishers – a pragmatic step that allowed him to hone his skills and gain exposure. However, it was his return to Dundee in 1890 that truly ignited his creative spirit. He joined the Graphic Arts Association, a vibrant collective of artists pushing boundaries and challenging conventional artistic norms. This association provided a crucial platform for his work, allowing him to develop his distinctive style and establish himself within the local art scene.
Influenced profoundly by the Symbolist movement – particularly the atmospheric nocturnes of James McNeill Whistler – Grieve’s early paintings are characterized by their ethereal quality. The use of muted tones, often dominated by greys, blues, and purples, creates a sense of mystery and melancholy. His depictions of the Tay River, bathed in the soft glow of twilight, became particularly renowned. Works like *Nocturne in Grey – the Tay Ferries* (1895) exemplify this period, capturing not just the physical appearance of the river but also its intangible spirit.
As Grieve’s artistic vision matured, he began to explore themes beyond purely landscape. He delved into symbolism and religious imagery, creating works such as *Death and the Miser* (1893) and *Sancta Spirita* (1897), which reflected his intellectual interests and philosophical leanings. These pieces, while initially met with mixed critical reception – some critics found them overly dark or unsettling – demonstrated a growing depth and complexity in his artistic expression.
However, Grieve’s art wasn't confined to abstract symbolism. He maintained a deep connection to the working class of Dundee, reflecting this empathy through his social commentary. His series *The Blind at Work* (1894), depicting the lives and struggles of blind individuals in the city’s institution, stands as a powerful testament to his commitment to social justice. This work, alongside paintings like *The Ploughman and the Crows* (1903), which subtly critiques the exploitative relationship between labor and capital, reveals Grieve's dual role as an artist and a socially conscious advocate.
Following his marriage in 1897, Grieve relocated to Tayport, a coastal town on the Firth of Tay. This move marked a significant shift in his artistic focus. While he continued to explore symbolic themes, his landscapes became increasingly rooted in the specific geography and character of the region. The light, colors, and textures of the Scottish countryside – the rolling hills, the dramatic coastline, and the ever-changing weather – took center stage.
In 1904, he co-founded the Tayport Artists’ Circle, a collective dedicated to promoting local art and fostering a sense of community. This initiative provided a platform for emerging artists and helped solidify Grieve's position as a leading figure in the Dundee artistic scene. His later works, such as *Pont du Cheval, Bruges* (a pair of paintings depicting the bridge), demonstrate a refined technique and a masterful understanding of light and atmosphere.
Alec Grieve’s career spanned nearly four decades, during which he produced an impressive body of work that continues to resonate with viewers today. While his Symbolist period initially garnered mixed reviews, his later landscapes – characterized by their evocative beauty and subtle social commentary – are now widely recognized as masterpieces of Scottish art. His paintings are held in prominent collections throughout Scotland, including the Perth Museum & Art Gallery and Dundee’s Newburgh-on-Tay.
Grieve's legacy extends beyond his individual artistic achievements. He played a vital role in fostering a vibrant artistic community in Dundee and contributed significantly to the development of Scottish landscape painting. His work serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art to capture not only the physical world but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human experience, particularly within the context of a changing society.
