Hugh Ramsay is an artist who deserves to be better known nationally and internationally. While he was anchored in the figurative tradition of the late nineteenth century, his brilliant capacity to distil his subjects, to take us into the variability of the art of self-portraiture and to emphasise the act of making, has endeared him to many artists. This publication sheds light on the remarkable body of work he created in his tragically short life. Though Ramsay died at 28 years of age, his story is one of great courage, tenacity and artistic achievement.