Haystacks and Woodland by Adam Thomson (1885-1976) is a vibrant oil painting distinguished by its vivid colours and balanced composition. On the right, a line of trees creates a natural border, contrasting with the three large haystacks arranged on the left. A winding path runs through the centre, drawing the viewer’s eye toward a smaller haystack in the distance, adding depth and inviting exploration of the rural landscape. The sky is rendered in delicate hues of lilac, pink, and blue, creating a soft, atmospheric backdrop. Scattered birds are subtly incorporated into the sky, adding a gentle sense of movement and life to the scene. Thomson, known for his oil and watercolour landscapes, often depicted scenes from around Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. His work shares affinities with fellow Scottish artists Sir William George Gillies (1898-1973) and Sir William MacTaggart (1903-1981), reflecting a strong tradition of capturing the atmospheric qualities of Scotland’s countryside.

Adam Bruce Thomson, 1885-1976

Bruce Adam Thomson OBE, RSA, PPRSW, also known as "Adam B," was a Scottish painter whose long, busy life tells the story of Scottish painting for the first three quarters of the twentieth century. Adam B was born in Edinburgh and was said to be a man of great integrity. Prior to receiving scholarships that allowed him to travel overseas to Spain and then Paris, he first studied at the Trustees Academy and then the recently founded Edinburgh College of Art, earning diplomas in both drawing and painting as well as architecture. He was a skilled lithographer and etcher who also pursued training in the challenging pastel and watercolour mediums. Prior to his return to the college, Thomson fought in the Great War and served in the Royal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant. He then taught etching, composition, and still life to the painting school's students, as well as colour theory to the architecture students. He remained affiliated with Edinburgh College of Art up until his passing. Even though the artist stopped instructing in 1950, he continued on as a trustee member and an examiner. He served as the RSA's Treasurer for seven years before becoming the RSW's President for another seven years starting in 1957. In 1963, Thomson received an OBE. Then, in 1976, he passed away. The archives of the National Library of Scotland hold some 24 of his sketchbooks, spanning around 40 years of work.