The son of immigrant Italians, Alberto Morrocco was born in Aberdeen where he attended Gray’s School of Art at the remarkably young age of 14. He also studied in France, Italy and Switzerland and the avant-garde art movements during that period had an immense influence on him and his work. It wasn’t until he was appointed Head of Painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1950, however, that his own more personal style emerged as he started to explore colour. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Dundee in 1980 and another from Stirling University in 1987. He was also awarded the San Vita Romano Prize and the Guthrie and Carnegie Awards, both from the Royal Scottish Academy, and he was appointed OBE in 1993.

Morrocco is famous for his landscapes of Scotland and abroad, his still-life, figure painting and interiors but he is perhaps best known for his beach scenes and views of Venice. His vivid paintings express and celebrate his flamboyant and colourful personality.