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The Guerilla Taking Leave of his Confessor
The Guerilla Taking Leave of his Confessor

The Guerilla Taking Leave of his Confessor

Artist (Pitlessie, Fife, Scotland, 1785 - 1841)
Date1827
Mediumpencil and watercolour on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 18.3 cm, Width: 15.2 cm
Frame: Height: 50.5 cm, Width: 46.5 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1960 with income from the Webster Bequest.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003528
About MeSoon after arriving in Spain, Wilkie devised a plan to make a series of paintings representing Spain's recent history, depicting the peasants and guerilla fighters in the Spanish War of Independence. This composition shows a Carmelite priest lighting the cigar of a guerilla soldier about to depart for the war. A young beggar boy sits at their feet. An oil painting of the same subject was shown at the Academy on Wilkie's return from Spain and was bought by King George IV for the Royal Collection.

More About Me

Travelling in Europe recovering from nervous breakdown, Wilkie decided on a series of paintings of Spain's recent history depicting peasants and guerrilla fighters.