Among the Barley
Printer-friendly versionWilliam McTaggart
Born near Campbeltown, 1835-1910
Among the Barley, 1879
Watercolour
Original Orchar Collection
Museum number 272-1987-201
Early in his career, McTaggart used watercolour primarily as an aide memoire to sketch and capture colour. By the 1870s he was using watercolour to create colourful, loosely painted but finished artworks.
He loved working in watercolour stating:
"There is nothing so beautiful as watercolour. One associates freedom and charm with it."
His sentiments are reflected in this work - children at play with not a care in the world. The power of nature is reflected in the vibrant colour and in the high spirits of the youngsters.
