Skip to main content
Head Of A Man Looking Upwards by Sir William Allan
Head of a Man Looking Upwards - Study for Heroism and Humanity
Head Of A Man Looking Upwards by Sir William Allan
Head Of A Man Looking Upwards by Sir William Allan

Head of a Man Looking Upwards - Study for Heroism and Humanity

Artist (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1782 - 1850)
Datec.1840
Mediumred, black and white chalk on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 19.7 cm, Width: 15.2 cm
Frame: Height: 55.6 cm, Width: 40.5 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1960.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003383
About MeThis chalk drawing is a preparatory study for the oil painting "Heroism and Humanity: An Incident in the Life of Robert the Bruce" (1840). In 1839 Allan was present at the Eglinton Tournament, where the display of medieval chivalry is said to have inspired "Heroism and Humanity". This may be true, but there is no doubt that the narrative of the painting resembles Sir Walter Scott's "Tales of a Grandfather". Scott's story recounts Robert the Bruce's retreat before a powerful enemy army whilst campaigning in Ireland. A laundress of Bruce's force (pictured on the right) is weakened by childbirth and unable to continue. Rather than sacrifice her to the approaching English forces, Bruce rallies his troops and prepares to fight there and then. Thus he is depicted as an embodiment of the virtues that entitle the painting. It is the facial expression of these virtues that Allan practises in this figure drawing.
More About Me
A study for "Heroism and Humanity", about Robert the Bruce, the completed painting now in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Gallery
Head of a Man Looking Down by Sir William Allan
Head of a Man Looking Down - Study for The Shepherd's Grace
Sir William Allan
c.1826
Head Of A Bald Man by Sir William Allan
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
Sir William Allan
c.1824
Head of a Young Man Glancing Down - Study for The Battle of Waterloo
Head of a Young Man Glancing Down - Study for The Battle of Waterloo
Sir William Allan
c.1843
Studies Of Head And Hands Of A Circassian As Though Gripping A Sword by Sir William Allan
Heads and Hands - Study for The Battle of Prestonpans
Sir William Allan
c.1842
Head of a Circassian Chief - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Head of a Circassian Chief - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Sir William Allan
1830
Head of a Cavass - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Head of a Cavass - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Sir William Allan
1830
Head of a Bearded Young Man - Study for The Stolen Child Recovered
Head of a Bearded Young Man - Study for The Stolen Child Recovered
Sir William Allan
c.1840
Head of a Turk - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Head of a Turk - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Sir William Allan
1830
Man with Hand Upraised - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Man with Hand Upraised - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Sir William Allan
c.1826
Head of a Soldier - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Head of a Soldier - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Sir William Allan
c.1826
Boy Blowing A Trumpet by Sir William Allan
Boy Blowing a Bugle - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Sir William Allan
c.1826
Study for 'The Star of Bethlehem' by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones
Study for 'The Star of Bethlehem'
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones
1875-1899
Head Of Man Wearing Large Hat by Sir William Allan
Head of a Gypsy Woman - Study for The Recovery of the Stolen Child
Sir William Allan
c.1821
Study for a Group of Recruiting Soldiers in "A Scotch Fair" by John Phillip
Study for a Group of Recruiting Soldiers in "A Scotch Fair"
John Phillip
Study for "Drawing for the Militia"
Study for "Drawing for the Militia"
John Phillip
1849
Study for "A Scotch Fair" by John Phillip
Study for "A Scotch Fair"
John Phillip
1848
Parents Presenting the Child - Study for "Baptism In Scotland"
Parents Presenting the Child - Study for "Baptism In Scotland"
John Phillip
1850
Study for "A Scotch Fair"
Study for "A Scotch Fair"
John Phillip
Girl, Finger To Mouth, Holding Toy by Sir William Allan
Girl, Finger to Mouth, Holding Toy - Study for The Landing of Mary, Queen of Scots at Leith
Sir William Allan
c.1826
Girl with Outstretched Arm - Study for Dick Whittington and His Cat
Girl with Outstretched Arm - Study for Dick Whittington and His Cat
Sir William Allan
c.1836
Young Girl - Study for Dick Whittington and His Cat
Young Girl - Study for Dick Whittington and His Cat
Sir William Allan
c.1836
Man Putting Something Into a Chest - Study for "Drawing for the Militia" and verso: Figure Studies
Man Putting Something Into a Chest - Study for "Drawing for the Militia" and verso: Figure Studies
John Phillip
c. 1849
Man Being Examined - Study for "Drawing for the Militia" & verso Study of Robert The Bruce
Man Being Examined - Study for "Drawing for the Militia" & verso Study of Robert The Bruce
John Phillip
1849
Head Of A Man, Head Thrown Back by Sir William Allan
Head of a Woman, Head Thrown Back - Study for Dick Whittington and His Cat
Sir William Allan
c.1836