Blind Harry
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Object number19862
TitleBlind Harry
Creator Sandy Stoddart (Artist)
DescriptionThis bust of the renowned 15th century poet Blind Harry was made by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart in 1996. Stoddart studied at Glasgow School of Art and later at the University of Glasgow. He is best known for making public monuments of historic figures. His work can be seen at Buckingham Palace and on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Stoddart was made Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland in 2008.
Blind Harry, also known as Harry the Minstrel, was the author of ‘The Acts and Deeds of the Illustrious and Valiant Champion Sir William Wallace’, more commonly known as ‘The Wallace’. Made up of twelve books, it is the longest work written in medieval Scots.
For many years this was used as the main source of information on the life of Wallace. It certainly influenced other poets, including Robert Burns and William Wordsworth. The truth is it was written more than 170 years after the death of Wallace. While it is a romantic tale, an epic story of our national hero and of Scotland during the early Wars of Independence, it cannot be read as an accurate historical record.
Very little is known for sure about Blind Harry himself. There are a few tantalising references in old records. A wandering minstrel, he gathered and recited stories on his travels and was employed at the court of James IV at Linlithgow Palace.
Production date 1997
Object nameSculpture, Plaster Sculpture
MaterialPlaster(metal Core)
Dimensions
whole Height: 1100 mm
whole Width: 450 mm
whole Depth: 500 mm
whole Width: 450 mm
whole Depth: 500 mm