Head of a Bald Man - Study for Lord Patrick Lindsay of the Byres and Lord William Ruthven compelling Mary, Queen of Scots to sign her Abdication in the Castle of Loch Leven

Artist Sir William Allan (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1782 - 1850)

Datec.1824

Mediumred, black and white chalk on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 13.3 cm, Width: 12 cm
Frame: Height: 55.7 cm, Width: 40.4 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1960.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003274

Keywords

About Me"He held his grasp upon her arm, bending his eyes on her with a stern and intimidating look, till both Ruthven and Melville cried shame; and Douglas, who had hitherto remained in a state of apparent apathy, had made a stride from the door, as if to interfere."

These words from Sir Walter Scott's "The Abbot" provide the subject for Allan's oil painting "Lord Patrick Lindsay of the Byres and Lord William Ruthven compelling Mary, Queen of Scots to sign her Abdication in the Castle of Loch Leven" (1824). This chalk drawing is a preparatory study for the painting, which depicts the moment when a deputation of nobles led by Lindsay visit Mary at Loch Leven to force her abdication in favour of her infant son, James VI. It is Lindsay's "stern and intimidating look" that is practised in Allan's preparatory drawing. As drawing is transformed into painting, however, it appears that chalk was too soft to convey the severity of Lindsay's "look". A suggestive use of line gives way to strong contrasts of light and shade, which highlight the points of particular tension in Lindsay's face: the clenched jaw, the furrowed brow and the bulging veins at his temple.
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This bald man was one of the nobles who went to convince Mary, Queen of Scots to abdicate – do you think his stern look would have convinced you?