Among the Bents

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William McTaggart
Born near Campbeltown, 1835-1910

Among the Bents, 1879
Watercolour

Original Orchar Collection
Museum number 272-1987-197

Bents are sheltered sandy dunes and McTaggart began to paint these wild links areas in Argyll in 1870. This work is described by McTaggart's son-in-law and biographer James Caw as 'one of the slightest but most lovely things he ever did.' During this period McTaggart's watercolours became increasingly loose, almost abstract, and profoundly influenced his oil painting.

Children are an important subject in McTaggart's work, used to underline the unity of man with nature. This is particularly apparent here, as the children are almost swallowed up by the surrounding landscape. Compare this work with Joseph Israels 'Evening on the Shore'.