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The Black Dwarf

William Allan

1831

oil

From the collection of National Galleries Scotland

american_folk_art Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

The Black Dwarf is a 1831 oil by William Allan, a american_folk_art work, held at National Galleries Scotland.

Who painted this?: William Allan
When & what style?: 1831 · american_folk_art
Where can I see it?: National Galleries Scotland

About this work

This painting depicts a man on horseback, wearing a helmet and holding a sword in his right hand. He is riding a brown horse, and behind him is a small cottage with a thatched roof. A man is kneeling outside the cottage, holding a staff in his right hand and gesturing towards the rider. Two goats are standing next to him. The scene is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a cloudy sky. The colors used are muted, with shades of brown and grey dominating the palette. The overall mood of the painting is one of tension and drama, as if the rider is about to engage in a fierce battle. The painting is a vivid representation of a moment in time, frozen in oil paint. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the technique further.