Images(16)

An Oread

Artist James Pittendrigh Macgillivray (Inverurie, Scotland, 1856 - 1938)

Date1910

Mediumbronze on polished stone base

ClassificationsSculptures

DimensionsOverall: Height: 52.5 cm, Width: 29 cm, Depth: 21 cm
Plinth Size: Height: 5.5 cm, Width: 23 cm, Depth: 19 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1969.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 10

Object numberABDAG004675

Keywords

Nude

Other Titles

About MeJames Pittendrigh Macgillivray was closely aligned to the Celtic revival and wrote poems in the 'doric'. His art, however, was more often inspired, as here, by Greek mythology. An oread is the Greek word for a nymph.

Macgillivray's realistic interpretation of the female form is typical of late 19th century sculpture. At that time bronze was the favoured sculpting material, since it allowed the artist to carve and mould freely in clay, then cast from this original. Michelangelo was the Old Master to whom most of the sculptors of the day deferred and Auguste Rodin the modern-day idol. As in Rodin's work here the marks of the sculptor's tools and finger tips remain clearly visible, giving the work a very arresting immediacy.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Similar to the dryads who presided over forests, in Greek mythology oreads were mountain nymphs. Maybe Macgillivray saw a couple of lost ones wandering in the Cairngorms...

Exhibitions

Gallery 10 - French Impressions