About this artwork

Allan, son of the harbour master in Alloa, spent ten years in Italy, studying to be an artist. This portrait was painted while he was living in Rome. Corvi shows Allan copying a reduced size version of a renowned classical statue, the Borghese Gladiator. Copying the great works of the past was considered an essential activity in the education of a young artist.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Domenico Corvi (1721 - 1803) Italian
  • title:
    David Allan, 1744 - 1796. Artist
  • date created:
    1774
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    74.30 x 61.30 cm; Framed: 92.10 x 78.20 x 6.50 cm / 11.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by the Royal Scottish Academy 1910
  • accession number:
    PG 731
  • gallery:
  • depicted:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Domenico Corvi

Domenico Corvi