RSA Scottish Art
A Refugee
 | Artist: Robert Payton Reid |
| Title: A Refugee | |
| Year: 1943 | |
| Medium: oil on panel | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| Description: Robert Payton Reid travelled extensively through Europe during his career. His paintings of landscapes and figures reflect his widespread travels and his awareness of contemporary issues. A Refugee presents this child as the victim of political conflicts in the adult world. But despite the poverty and hardship suggested by the girl's bare feet, this painting has a sentimental slant. The child has appealing brown eyes and rosy cheeks and we see no signs of war or destruction. Reid has painted her in minute detail, and this gives the painting a glossy finish far removed from ideas of poverty. The beautiful antique water jug is a reflection of the artist's interest in classical art. It also emphasises the smallness of the child and her vulnerability. Rather than cause us to feel sorry for this child, Reid has created an image which makes her seem endearing. She looks shy, and her down-turned face and bashful pose make her seem a little lost.The painting has been executed with a very faithful representational approach. The soft light falling on the scene casts very gentle shadows, which keeps the tonal range light and fresh. Although the child's clothes are tatty, she is painted in quite lively colours, with reddish hair and the orange in her hand intensifying the earthy palette. The brush work is very gentle and subtle, suggesting that Reid was inspired by this scene and wished to depict this view with great accuracy.The mood in this painting is a mixture of childhood innocence and painful shyness. The girl seems intimidated by the situation, or perhaps she is terrified of the war which is happening beyond the frame. Perhaps the painter and child do not even speak the same language. Does this image reflect your idea of a refugee from war? | |
Find us on