Born to Gaelic speaking parents on the west coast of Scotland, the artist felt a deep personal concern for the draining away of the Celtic population from their own land. He painted three variations on the theme of emigration, of which this is the last. An emigrant ship is seen moving off under a stormy sky, with a hint of a rainbow in it. On the shore, older members of the clan have been left behind, desolate.
William McTaggart (Scottish, 1835 - 1910)
McTaggart's land and seascapes reflect his fascination with nature and man's relationship with it. His bold colours and vigorous brushwork find parallels in Impressionist painting, although essentially form part of a distinct Scottish tradition. They also echo qualities in paintings by Constable and Turner, whom he admired. McTaggart was born on the Mull of Kintyre and returned there frequently from his studio in Glasgow and later from his home in Broomieknow, just outside Edinburgh. He trained in Edinburgh at the Trustees' Academy and enjoyed early success when elected as an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy aged twenty-four.
