Skip to main content
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
Head Of A Man, Head Thrown Back by Sir William Allan
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

Artist (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1782 - 1850)
Datec.1836
Mediumblack and white chalk on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 16 cm, Width: 14.9 cm
Frame: Height: 55.8 cm, Width: 40.6 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1960.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003385
About MeThis chalk drawing is a preparatory study for the oil painting "Dick Whittington and His Cat" (1836). An inscription on the reverse of the painting tells us that "The picture represents that moment in the popular story of Whittington, at which he unknowingly lays the foundation of his fortune by parting with his cat." Studies for three of the subjects at the centre of the action are held in the Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums Collections: the Cook, Alice Fitzwarren and a babe in arms.

Notoriously cruel to Whittington, the Cook turns her head away from the scene with little concern for the fate of the cat or its owner. The first recorded pantomime version of the story was during Allan's lifetime in 1814, which cast a man in the role of Dame Cecily Suet, the Cook. This would account for the exaggerated sneer and thick-set features of this study.
More About Me
A study for "Dick Whittington and his Cat". This is the nasty cook, her head thrown back and snearing.
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
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
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
Parents Presenting the Child - Study for "Baptism In Scotland"
Parents Presenting the Child - Study for "Baptism In Scotland"
John Phillip
1850
A Young Couple, A Child and an Old Man - Study for "Presbyterian Catechising" and verso: Life Studies
A Young Couple, A Child and an Old Man - Study for "Presbyterian Catechising" and verso: Life Studies
John Phillip
c. 1847
Study of Arm for Two Schoolgirls by James Cowie
Arm and Hand - Study for "Two Schoolgirls"
James Cowie
1934
Sketch For A Silk Design by Charles Conder
Sketch For A Silk Design
Charles Conder
1899
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 Turk - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Head of a Turk - Study for Slave Market, Constantinople
Sir William Allan
1830
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 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 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 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
Head Of A Man Looking Upwards by Sir William Allan
Head of a Man Looking Upwards - Study for Heroism and Humanity
Sir William Allan
c.1840
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 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
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
Belgium
Belgium
Sir Frank Brangwyn
1914
Sketch for Decoration
Sketch for Decoration
Sir Frank Brangwyn
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
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