Alan King lived from 1946 to 2014. Following his studies at the Glasgow School of Art between 1964-1968, Alan King decided to first pursue a career in teaching before taking up painting full-time in 1999. One of the most characteristic themes in his paintings is the 'Red Hat' frequently worn by clowns and other protagonists. He is particularly well known for his mastery of storytelling and passion for early Italian painting, whose influences permeate his art. His visually compelling subjects and intriguing titles draw inspiration from literature and poetry.