Alison Watt was born in Greenock in 1965. She graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 1988, and has recently completed a two-year residency at The National Gallery in London.

While at The National Gallery, she drew inspiration from old masters. In particular she was influenced by Francisco de Zurbaran's Saint Francis in Meditation. She also completed a series of works, of which she believes the 2.1m by 3.3m Phantom is her best.

Fascinated by fabrics in paintings, Watt's work was initially figurative but became more abstract in the late 1990s.

She excluded figures and focused on the suggestive and sculptural nature of fabric. Watt studied how Zurbaran conveys Saint Francis's faith through the heavy folds of his hooded habit.

The Art Fund is funded entirely by its 80,000 members and public donations. It gave GoMA ?22,500 towards the cost of the painting, which is half of the total cost of the work at ?45,000. Phantom will go on show in November in GoMA's Contemporary Collection exhibition.

David Barrie, Director of The Art Fund, said, 'Phantom is a work both sensual and dynamic that documents Alison Watt's time as the youngest ever artist-in-residence at the National Gallery.

'I am delighted that The Art Fund was able to give GoMA the funds it needed to acquire Phantom, which will now join its collection of work by leading Scottish artists.'

As well as The Art Fund's contribution, the work was acquired with a grant of ?11,250 from the National Museums Scotland's National Fund for Acquisitions, and ?11,250 from Glasgow City Council.

Councillor Archie Graham, the Executive Member for Culture and Sport at Glasgow City Council, said, 'This is an outstanding work, which reflects our ambition to build on the city's reputation as the home of the very best in modern art outside London.

'We are extremely grateful to The Art Fund and National Museums Scotland for their contribution, allowing us to purchase this significant work for the people of Glasgow.'-- www.glasgowmuseums.com