This study of a goat was likely made on one of Crawhall’s many trips to Tangier, where he was often joined by other painters from the Glasgow School. Tangier attracted many nineteenth century European artists, captivated by the extraordinary colours and light of the city and its diverse population. Crawhall concentrates on depicting the silhouette of the goat and uses the colour of the linen to suggest the sandy landscape bleached by the sun. This simplified composition, with its thin washes supported by a few definite brushstrokes, reveals Crawhall’s appreciation for Oriental art, particularly Japanese prints and Chinese wash drawings on silk. Painting on linen gave greater intensity and solidity of colour.