History painting

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Paintings in which the subject is taken from biblical, classical or other mythological histories.

Benjamin West Alexander III of Scotland Rescued from the Fury of a Stag by the Intrepidity of Colin Fitzgerald ('The Death of the Stag') 1786

Artworks

Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus Gavin Hamilton
James Dawkins and Robert Wood Discovering the Ruins of Palmyra Gavin Hamilton
Rent-day in the Wilderness Sir Edwin Landseer
Mary, Queen of Scots Escaping from Lochleven Castle William Craig Shirreff
Four Standing Men (study for 'The Covenanters' Baptism') Sir George Harvey
The Porteous Mob James Drummond
The Battle of Alexandria, 21 March 1801 Philip James de Loutherbourg
The German fleet after surrender, Firth of Forth, 21 November 1918 James Paterson
The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of the Lodge William Stewart Watson
The Continence of Scipio David Allan

Episodes From Scottish History

Paintings and sculpture of noteworthy historical events were once considered to be the highest form of artistic expression. The beginning of the eighteenth century saw many Scottish artists shifting away from the traditional genres of portraiture and landscape, and looking back to Scotland’s past for inspiration.

Scottish Art Theme
10 min read

Artists

William Craig Shirreff
1786 - 1805
Philip James de Loutherbourg
1740 - 1812
David Allan
1744 - 1796
Gavin Hamilton
1723 - 1798
Sir David Wilkie
1785 - 1841
Sir Edwin Landseer
1802 - 1873
James Drummond
1816 - 1877