Highland Mary

Artist Thomas Faed (Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland, 1826 - 1900)

AssociatedAssociated with Robert Burns (Alloway, Scotland, 1759 - 1796)

AssociatedAssociated with Mary Campbell (Auchamore, Dunoon, Scotland, 1763 - 1786)

Date1857

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 72.2 cm, Width: 55.5 cm
Frame: Height: 104.5 cm, Width: 87.8 cm

AcquisitionBequeathed in 1902 by Mrs Leslie.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 09

Object numberABDAG002354

Keywords

About MeFaed specialised in genre scenes and depicted the ordinary working folk of his homeland of Kirkcudbright, though often, as here, somewhat romanticising his subject. In this picture, he may have been recalling Robert Burns' account of his rendezvous with Mary, the poet's lover who died of fever.

His attention to detail was meticulous. Here Burns' heroine is portrayed wearing a patchwork bag and fashionable pink jacket. Her face is fresh, her gestures open and relaxed. She lifts her skirts up out of the water, revealing their delicate blue lining that echoes the colour of her simple bonnet.

ADOPT AN ARTWORK. This artwork is available for Adoption. To find out more please email AAGMSupport-Us@aberdeencity.gov.uk
More About Me

Collections Wall

Like Robert Burns, Thomas Faed specialised in romantic depictions of Scottish rural life. "Highland Mary" was the nickname of Mary Campbell, one of Burns' lovers, and the subject of this painting and a poem by Burns with the same title.

Exhibitions