Stalking in the Highlands

Artist James Giles (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1801 - 1870)

Date1853

Mediumwatercolour on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsSight Size: Height: 48.5 cm, Width: 72.3 cm
Frame: Height: 66.2 cm, Width: 88.7 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1973.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 09

Object numberABDAG002225

Keywords

About MeThe mid 19th century witnessed a new image of the Scottish Highlands as a resort for touring, leisure and sport. It became a fashionable place to visit for several reasons, not least the interest shown by the Royal Family and the natural environment for deer stalking.

Giles, like Landseer, produced subjects of Highlands sport in a contemporary setting. Set in a mountainous, cold and misty landscape, 'Stalking in the Highlands' features a Victorian shooting party at a moment of intensity: the prey has been tracked and the figure on the right raises his rifle. Meanwhile, the central figure looks directly at the viewer with a gesture that seems to signal for quiet and the ghillie on the left holds back the deerhounds and cranes his neck for a view of the action.
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The painting features a Victorian shooting party at a moment of intensity. The central figure looks directly at the viewer with a gesture that seems to signal for quiet.

Exhibitions

Gallery 09 - Balmoral Phenomenon