From 1954 until 2004, Andrew McIntosh Patrick, who has died aged 90, worked at the Fine Art Society in London, when the firm was synonymous with its 1876 New Bond Street premises designed by EW Godwin. With an open fire, period furniture and walls often stacked vertically with paintings, it was like stepping into a posh private home albeit with the contents for sale. The atmosphere was augmented by a welcome from Andrew, seemingly always at his desk on one side of the room, and his colleague, Peyton Skipwith, opposite. Callers either felt immediately at home or somewhat confused by how unlike other galleries this was.
Born in Dundee, Andrew was the son of the Scottish painter James McIntosh Patrick and his wife Janet (nee Watterson). Andrew and his sister, Ann, grew up at ease in their father’s studio and with their parents’ circle of artists, writers and musician friends. Andrew was educated at Harris Academy in Dundee, prior to national service in Aberdeen. The family connection with the FAS dated from the 1930s, and it was through this that Andrew came to London to begin his career.
