Peter Howson’s first ever oil painting up for sale

The first ever oil painting by popular Scottish artist Peter Howson is to be put up for sale to raise money for charity.

Peter Howson with Christ On The Cross, which he painted at the age of six. Picture: Robert Perry/TSPL

Christ On The Cross, which he painted in 1964 at the age of just six, will go under the hammer at auction, with half the proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The artist remembers starting the painting with an art set his grandmother bought him. His uncle bought the painting but it came back to Howson recently after he died.

Howson said: “I have always been religious – well, a believer – and I was obsessed with the crucifixion. My grandmother was a great inspiration to me and she bought me a set of paints when I was about four.

Peter Howson with Christ On The Cross, which he painted at the age of six. Picture: Robert Perry/TSPL

“I dabbled for a while but the image of Christ on the cross with the world in the background was the first painting that I completed.

“My uncle Bob was another very important figure in my life, a kindred spirit, and he gave me ten shillings for the work. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago and the painting returned to me.” Howson has always been interested in the work of Marie Curie and said he hopes the auction raises a lot of money for the charity.

The 35cm by 24cm painting will be offered with no reserve price by instruction of the artist but experts believe it could fetch several thousand pounds.

The auction will take place at the McTear’s Scottish Contemporary Art Auction on Sunday. Natasha Raskin, picture specialist at the auction house, said Howson remains one of Scotland’s most “influential contemporary artists”.