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The Twa Corbies

Artist (Forfarshire, Scotland, 1879 - 1915)
Date1901
Mediumoil on canvas
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 83.3 cm, Width: 97.5 cm
Frame: Height: 102.3 cm, Width: 117 cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1945 by Miss E Sommerville.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003796
About MeThe subject of this painting is taken from an anonymous Scottish poem;

In behint yon auld fail dike
I wot there lies a new slain knight:
and naebody why kens that he lies there
but his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair

His hound is to the hunting gane,
his hawk to fetch the wild fowl hame,
his lady's ta'en anither mate,
so we may mak' our dinner sweet.

Ye'll sit on his white hause bare,
and I'll pike out his bonny blue e'en,
wi' ae lock o' his gawden hair
we'll theek our nest when it grows bare.

Mony an ane for him maks mane but nane
sall ken whaur he is gane.
o'er his white banes, when they are bare
the win' sall blaw for ever mair

More About Me
“Ye’ll sit on his white hause-bane / and I’ll pick out his bonny blue e’en: / wi’ a lock o’ his gowden hair” / we’ll theek oor nest when it grows bare.”
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