Arts - Highland chief belongs to Glasgow Location of Darien colony (www.maps-for-free.com CC BY 3.0)
Highland chief belongs to Glasgow
G
lasgow Museums has secured A Highland Chieftain: Portrait of Lord Mungo Murray, a truly iconic portrait for the culture of Gaelic Scotland, for the city. The striking painting, by John Michael Wright (1617-1694), is the earliest major portrait to depict a
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sitter full-length in Highland dress. Mungo Murray was aged just 15 when he was painted sometime around 1683 wearing an exquisite doublet and fĂŠileadh mĂłr, or belted plaid in tartan that predates the invention of kilts and clan tartans.
The painting has been put on display in the Scottish Identity in Art gallery at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, juxtaposed with interesting examples of Scottish weaponry, textiles and decorative art objects, which provide fascinating historical context.
