Macnab, Iain

Macnab, Iain (1890–1967). British graphic artist (wood engraver, etcher, draughtsman), painter, and teacher. He was born in the Philippines, the son of an official of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, and grew up in Scotland. From 1911 to 1914 he studied accountancy (which later stood him in good stead in his administrative posts), then served in the army during the First World War until 1916, when he was wounded and invalided out. In 1917 he began studying at Glasgow School of Art, then moved to Heatherley's School in London; after a brief period in Paris, he returned to Heatherley's as joint principal, 1919–25. He left to found his own school in London, the Grosvenor School of Modern Art, which he ran from 1925 until its closure in 1940. The teachers included Claude Flight (see LINOCUT), Frank Rutter, Graham Sutherland, and R. H. Wilenski. During the Second World War Macnab served in the RAF. After the war he returned to Heatherley's as director of art studies, 1946–53. His best-known works are his wood engravings, which are mainly figure compositions and landscapes in a bold, clear style. He made them both as book illustrations and as independent works.