Posted 27 days ago
Golgatha
(236 items)
This painting is by Danish artist N. A. Abildgaard (1743-1809). Oil on canvas. 47 cm X 38 cm. The subject for the painting is James Macpherson (1736-1796): "Ossian, Temora book VII. "Cathmor who awakens from a dream as his beloved Sulmalla warns him of an impending war with Fingal"." The painting is probably from ca. 1790. It was exhibited in 1916 and mentioned in a book from 1999. A couple of the previous owners are known. I bought it at an internet auction because I already had a painting and a pen drawing by the artist. Enjoy.
Is this to do with the Clan MacDonald massacre, I wonder ???? And why the Danish fascination for Scottish history and the poetry of Ossian. Great Find !,!!
Thanks vetraio50 for the comment. I don't know if Macpherson was inspired by the Clan MacDonald massacre. The Danish translation of Ossian was published in 1790. It fascinated many readers. Among them was the history interested Abildgaard who was always on the look out for subjects for his paintings. Besides, Scotland, seen from Denmark, is just on the other side of the North Sea.