A self-portrait by the renowned Scottish Colourist painter F C B Cadell, has been acquired by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for £240,000.

Painted in 1914, it was one of the highlights of a retrospective exhibition of Cadell's work held in 2011-12.

The painting has been purchased with a £100,000 grant from the Art Fund and the Patrons of the National Galleries of Scotland.

It will be hung in the gallery's Great Hall, to complement the current exhibition Collecting Now, which focuses on the Gallery's growing collection.

Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883-1937), from Edinburgh, spent time living in Paris in the early years of the twentieth century and was influenced by his contact with avant-garde artists working there.

The self portrait was painted following a trip to Venice in 1910.

It is influenced by artists such as Whistler, Lavery, and Sargent.

The year that the portrait was painted was of great significance to Cadell.

He volunteered for active service immediately after war was declared in 1914.

This is the first portrait of Cadell to enter the gallery's collection.

Christopher Baker, director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery said: "The Cadell self-portrait is a major addition to the gallery's collection, which we are confident will prove immensely popular.

"The artist is seen here at the height of his powers; he has created a scintillating, defiant and celebratory image, a great statement about the pleasure and vocation of painting and a work that places Scottish achievement within a European setting.

"We are very grateful to the Art Fund and patrons of the National Galleries, without whom this outstanding acquisition would not have been possible."

Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, said: "We are so pleased to be supporting the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in acquiring its first work by F C B Cadell, one of the most ambitious and important Scottish artists of his generation.

"It's an arresting self-portrait, perfectly suited to the SNPG's collection, and promises to be hugely popular amongst visitors."