Among the Bents

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William McTaggart
Born near Campbeltown, Argyllshire, 1835-1910

Among the Bents, 1890
Watercolour

Presented by the Orchar Trustees, 1987
Purchased from Miss AM Douglas, 1924
Museum number 272-1987-208

This watercolour shows Jean, McTaggart’s youngest daughter from his first marriage, and Mysie, the first daughter from his second. It is an intimate and informal portrait of the girls and their obvious affection for one another.

Lying in the dunes, or ‘bents’, along the shoreline, the two are relaxed and happy in their natural environment. McTaggart often used watercolour to make spontaneous records of his loved ones for his own pleasure.