1889
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Galleries Scotland
The Queen of the Swords is a 1889 oil by William Quiller Orchardson, a Impressionism work, held at National Galleries Scotland.
In the painting, a woman stands in the center, wearing a long dress with a sword in her hand. She is surrounded by people, some of whom are looking at her while others are engaged in various activities. The background is dark, with a few objects visible, including a chair and a table. The woman's dress is a light color, and her hair is styled in an updo. She holds the sword in her right hand, with her left hand resting on her hip. The people around her are dressed in clothing from a different time period, with some wearing hats and others carrying objects. The painting is done in oil paint, with visible brushstrokes and texture. The overall effect is one of drama and tension, with the woman at the center of the scene. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up William Quiller Orchardson.
Sir William Quiller Orchardson (27 March 1832 – 13 April 1910) was a Scottish portraitist and painter of domestic and historical subjects who was knighted in June 1907, at the age of 75.
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