Black Beast Wanderer
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Object number04745
TitleBlack Beast Wanderer
Creator Joseph Denovan Adam, (Painter)
DescriptionBlack Beast Wanderer – there can be no better way to describe the subject of this atmospheric painting than its very own title. What this painting lacks in size, measuring only 52 x 32 cm, it makes up for in attitude! It was painted in the late 1880s by Joseph Denovan Adam, who specialised in the painting of animals, and Highland cattle in particular. He set up a school of animal painting on his small farm at Craigmill near Stirling in 1887, using his own herd as life models for his students.
Our Wanderer is the stockier, shaggier cousin of the Heilan’ Coos we know and love today. Look closely and you can see the wind whipping in to ruffle its thick, dark coat. Despite the warmth of the sun on the snow there is a warning of stormy weather in the swift brushstrokes of the background.
Black cattle were the traditional native breed of Scotland. Like our Wanderer they were small, sturdy and sure-footed. Happy to brave the winter snows and able to graze on rough and even marshy ground. For centuries, the trade in these cattle was vital to the Highland economy. Every autumn they were taken by drovers south and east to the cattle sales in places like Stirling and Doune, where they were sold on and fattened up for the English markets.
Production placeScotland
Production date 1887 - 1890
Production period19th century
Object nameOil Painting
MaterialOil/Canvas
TechniquePainted
Dimensions
canvas Height: 520 mm
canvas Width: 352 mm
frame Height: 810 mm
frame Width: 628 mm
canvas Width: 352 mm
frame Height: 810 mm
frame Width: 628 mm