Artwork

Highland Lassie

Highland Lassie, by Edwin Landseer, 1848
Highland Lassie, by Edwin Landseer, 1848

Highland Lassie is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Highland Lassie, a drawing by Edwin Henry Landseer from 1848, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work portrays a young Scottish Highland woman in a natural setting, accompanied by a falcon.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a Highland lassie, is depicted with a falcon on her hand and a stick in the other, symbolizing a strong connection to the outdoors. Her attire, including a flower-adorned hat and long hair, contributes to a romanticized portrayal of the Scottish Highlands.

Technique & Style

While specific drawing techniques are not detailed, the piece aligns with the Romanticism movement, emphasizing emotional, natural, and often idealized subjects, characteristic of Landseer's oeuvre.

History & Provenance

Created in 1848 by Edwin Henry Landseer, the drawing's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not specified in available information.

Context

The work reflects the Victorian era's fascination with the Scottish Highlands, often romanticized in art and literature of the time. Landseer, known for animal subjects, here combines this with a human figure in a natural context.

Legacy

As part of Landseer's body of work, Highland Lassie contributes to the artist's reputation for capturing the relationship between humans and animals within romanticized natural settings, reflecting broader artistic trends of his era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Edwin Landseer

Artist

Edwin Landseer

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, well known for his paintings of animals – particularly horses, dogs, and stags. His best-known work is the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.