Ernest Michael Dinkel RSW ARCA (1894–1983), English (of German descent)
North West Coast of Scotland, watercolour
£1.00
Out of stock
“This is another painting by Joe Hendry exploring the theme of the kilted Scottish figure. The man is shown from behind, hands clasped behind his back, standing quite calmly on the canvas.
What I like about this one is its simplicity. There’s nothing complicated about it — just a figure, a kilt, and a quiet bit of attitude. Hendry manages to make something very Scottish feel fresh and contemporary at the same time.”
Ernest Michael Dinkel RSW ARCA (1894–1983) was a British painter, designer and educator known both for his work as an artist and for his influential role in art education in Scotland. He was born in England in 1894 to a family of German descent.
Dinkel studied at the Royal College of Art in London, where he later also taught, establishing a strong connection with the institution during the early part of his career. His work combined painting, design and illustration, reflecting the broader interdisciplinary approach encouraged at the Royal College of Art during the early twentieth century.
In 1947 he was appointed Head of Design at Edinburgh College of Art, a position he held until 1961. During this period he played an important role in shaping the development of design education at the school in the post-war years.
Alongside his academic career, Dinkel produced paintings and graphic designs and became known for his work in transport poster design, particularly posters created for the British railway network during the mid-twentieth century. These works formed part of the broader tradition of British railway and travel posters that combined graphic design with landscape imagery to promote travel across Britain.
Dinkel was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) and became an Associate of the Royal College of Art (ARCA). His work is represented in a number of public collections, and he remains recognised as both an artist and an educator who contributed to the development of art and design teaching in Scotland.