The Guerilla Taking Leave of his Confessor

Artist Sir David Wilkie (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

Keywords

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.

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