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Arthur Melville Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Arthur Melville our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Arthur Melville · 1855 – 1904

A Moorish Procession, Tangier (1893)

1893 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Arthur Melville's "A Moorish Procession, Tangier" captures a vibrant Moroccan street scene with rich colors and dynamic movement. A captivating watercolor from 1893 by a Scottish visionary.

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #1: A Moorish Procession, Tangier

Art Movement: Orientalist Painting
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17537 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Kurrachee – Arthur Melville

1882 · Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney · original 54 x 72 cm

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #2: Kurrachee

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17541 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26072 × 54 cm Commission at original size

Audrey And Her Goats

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

An Arab Interior

Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The White Piano – Arthur Melville

Discover 'The White Piano' by Arthur Melville – a captivating oil painting of a woman playing music. Explore its realism & impressionistic style, rich colors, and symbolic depth.

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #5: The White Piano

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait Sketch, Arthur Melville

Admire 'Portrait Sketch' by Arthur Melville – a captivating 19th-century portrait in realistic style. Explore this unique artwork & discover more historical paintings.

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #6: Portrait Sketch

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Arthur Melville: Christmas Eve - 'and There Was No Room For Them In The Inn'

Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #7: Christmas Eve - 'and There Was No Room For Them In The Inn'

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17533 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

The Market Stall, Arthur Melville

Discover 'The Market Stall' by Arthur Melville – a realistic oil painting capturing domestic life & childhood labor in 19th-century Scotland. Explore its textured style & earthy tones.

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #8: The Market Stall

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20037 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Faggot Collector, Arthur Melville

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #9: The Faggot Collector

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The Return From Calvary

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30031 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

A Cabbage Garden

Admire 'A Cabbage Garden' by Arthur Melville – a stunning 19th-century watercolor depicting rural life. Explore this captivating artwork’s realism & historical charm.

Art Movement: Realism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Homeward by Arthur Melville

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #12: Homeward

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17539 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The Innkeeper

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs Graham Robertson – Arthur Melville

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #14: Mrs Graham Robertson

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Christmas Morning

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Night, Spain

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Staines Bridge, Surrey

Discover Arthur Melville’s vibrant Orientalist watercolors! Capturing Persia & Turkey’s light & color, influenced by the Glasgow Boys. Explore his stunning Eastern scenes.

Art Movement: Other
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17541 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

The Tragedy Of The Morn

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17539 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The Chalk Cutting

1898 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh · original 85.1 x 92.8cm

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17533 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37893 × 85 cm Commission at original size

Portrait Of A Woman

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

A Spanish Sunday, Going To The Bullfight, Arthur Melville

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #21: A Spanish Sunday, Going To The Bullfight

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

An Oriental Courtyard

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

After The Play

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

A Scene In Tunis

Discover "A Scene In Tunis" by Arthur Melville – a captivating impressionistic watercolor depicting Tunisian life. Explore this unique artwork & the artist's legacy.

Art Movement: Impressionism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17538 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Discover "The Faggot Gatherers" by Arthur Melville – an impressionistic watercolor depicting rural life. Explore its muted tones, fluid brushwork & atmospheric depth. A timeless piece of Scottish art.

View the most popular artwork of Arthur Melville ranked #25: The Faggot Gatherers

Art Movement: Impressionism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 26 artworks by Arthur Melville
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20040 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Arthur Melville

1855 – 1904

Quick facts

Works on APS26
Born1855, Angus, United Kingdom
Top-ranked workA Moorish Procession, Tangier
Movementsrealism
Color intensitymonochromatic, balanced
Lifespan49 years
Copyright statusPublic domain
NationalityUnited Kingdom

Biography

A Scottish Visionary: The Life and Art of Arthur Melville

Arthur Melville, a name perhaps less instantly recognizable than some of his contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a pivotal position in late 19th and early 20th-century British painting. Born in Guthrie, Angus, Scotland, in 1855 (though some sources suggest 1858), Melville’s artistic journey was one defined by an insatiable curiosity, a bold embrace of color, and a profound sensitivity to light – qualities that would ultimately distinguish his work and exert a significant influence on the burgeoning Glasgow Boys movement. His early life offered little indication of the path he would forge; apprenticed as a grocer, Melville nonetheless found himself drawn to visual expression, diligently attending evening art classes in Edinburgh while balancing the demands of his trade. This dedication secured him entry into the Royal Scottish Academy Schools, laying the foundation for further study in Paris and Greece – experiences that proved crucial in shaping his artistic sensibilities.

The Allure of the Orient: Travels and Transformation

It was, however, Melville’s intrepid travels through Persia, Egypt, and Turkey between 1880 and 1882 that truly ignited his creative fire. Often venturing alone into remote regions, he immersed himself in the cultures and landscapes of the Middle East, a world far removed from the muted tones of Victorian Scotland. This immersion wasn’t merely observational; it was deeply experiential. Melville didn't simply *see* these places, he absorbed their atmosphere, their light, their very essence. It was during this period that his distinctive color palette began to blossom, fueled by the intense hues and dazzling sunlight of the region. He developed a unique watercolor technique – applying paint to wet paper with gouache and often employing blotting techniques – allowing him to capture the shimmering heat and vibrant life he encountered. This wasn’t about meticulous realism; it was about conveying an *impression*, a feeling, the very soul of a place. Works like Kurrachee, depicting bustling street scenes in what is now Karachi, Pakistan, exemplify this approach – a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, color and movement that transports the viewer to another world.

A Style Defined by Atmosphere and Innovation

Melville’s style resists easy categorization. While he absorbed influences from various sources, including Impressionism with its emphasis on fleeting moments and optical effects, he remained distinctly himself. He wasn't interested in photographic accuracy; instead, he prioritized capturing the *feeling* of a scene, emphasizing color and atmosphere over precise detail. His broad decorative treatment, often described as “blottesque” due to his innovative blotting techniques, created luminous effects and a sense of spontaneity. This approach was revolutionary for its time, challenging conventional watercolor practices and paving the way for new expressive possibilities. He wasn’t merely painting *what* he saw, but *how* it felt to be there – the heat on his skin, the scent in the air, the energy of the crowd. Beyond Orientalist scenes, Melville also explored Venetian landscapes and portraits, demonstrating a versatility that further cemented his artistic range. A Moorish Procession, Tangier, for example, showcases his ability to capture the vibrant energy and cultural richness of North Africa, while Christmas Eve - 'and There Was No Room For Them In The Inn' reveals his skill in narrative painting.

Legacy and Influence: A Lasting Impact

Despite receiving limited recognition during his lifetime – he tragically died from typhoid fever in 1904 at the age of just forty-nine – Arthur Melville’s influence on subsequent generations of artists has been profound. His innovative watercolor techniques, particularly his bold use of color and atmospheric effects, had a significant impact on the Glasgow Boys, a group of Scottish painters who sought to break away from academic conventions and forge their own distinct artistic identity. A comprehensive memorial exhibition held at the Royal Institute Galleries in London in 1906, shortly after his death, helped to belatedly raise awareness of his work. Today, Melville’s paintings are held in esteemed collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Weimar Museum, alongside numerous private holdings. He remains a celebrated figure for those interested in Orientalist painting, the development of Scottish art, and the power of color to evoke emotion and transport the viewer to another time and place. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power of travel, the importance of artistic experimentation, and the enduring legacy of a visionary artist who dared to see the world through his own unique lens.

Key Characteristics of Melville’s Art

Subject Matter: Primarily Orientalist scenes – Persia, Egypt, Turkey – but also Venetian landscapes and portraits.
Technique: Watercolor on wet paper with gouache application for luminous effects; innovative blotting techniques.
Style: Broad decorative treatment, emphasis on color and atmosphere over precise detail.
Influence: Significant influence on the Glasgow Boys and a precursor to modern watercolor painting.

Questions & Answers

What are the birth city and country of Arthur Melville?

Arthur Melville was born in Angus, in United Kingdom.

Where can I see Arthur Melville's artworks arranged by atmosphere?

The artist's Mood Room page shows Arthur Melville's artworks arranged by their atmosphere.

Can I visit a virtual museum of Arthur Melville's works?

Arthur Melville's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

Arthur Melville is particularly celebrated for his paintings of what region?
What artistic movement did Arthur Melville's work share affinities with, despite not directly emulating it?
Arthur Melville's watercolor technique often involved applying paint to wet paper with what medium?
Which group of artists was significantly influenced by Arthur Melville's innovative techniques?
Besides Orientalist scenes, what other subject matter did Arthur Melville frequently paint?

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