British
Born in Scotland, Craigie Aitchison moved to London to study Law at Middle Temple, but quickly turned his attention to painting. He attended the Slade School of Art, London from 1952 - 4. In 1954 he took part in the exhibition 'Six Young Contemporaries' at Gimpel Fils, London and then in 1955 he was awarded a British Council Scholarship to study in Italy. The Italian quality of light and landscape profoundly affected his work as did early Italian art with its simplified depiction of events.

On returning to London he developed a style of abbreviated forms and strong pastel colours which he has continued to use throughout his career.

His first one-man show was at the Beaux Arts Gallery in 1959. He was given two more one-man shows by Beaux Arts in 1960 and 1964. In 1970 he won the Edwin Austin Abbey Premier Scholarship, and in 1974 won the third prize at the 9th John Moores exhibition.

His canvases are often on religious themes, but include portraits, landscapes and animals. His paintings are never signed on the front so as not to upset the austere balance of the composition. He has also produced an important series of crucifixions and nativities.

Craigie Aitchison: Recent Paintings (exh. cat., intro. H. Lessore, Edinburgh, Scot. A.C., 1975)
Craigie Aitchison: Paintings 1953-1981 (exh. cat., H. Lessore, J. McEwen, London, Serpentine Gal., 1981)
Albermarle Gallery, London, 'Craigie Aitchison', exhibition catalogue 1987
Craigie Aitchison: New Paintings (exh. cat., essay J. McEwen, London, Thomas Gibson F. A., 1993)
A. G. Williams: Craigie: The Art of Craigie Aitchison (Edinburgh, 1996)
Andrew Lambirth, Craigie Aitchison: Out of the Ordinary, Royal Academy of Arts 2003