Tam O'Shanter
1825 Nottingham Museums
About this artwork
This oil sketch depicts a frantic rider on horseback being pursued by spectral figures under a stormy sky, illustrating a scene from Robert Burns's famous poem "Tam o' Shanter". It serves as a preparatory study for a larger, unrealized canvas.
Did you know?
Eugène Delacroix, a master of Romanticism, was deeply inspired by literature, and his interpretation of Robert Burns's "Tam o' Shanter" poem captures the narrative's thrilling climax. The tale recounts Tam's drunken ride home where he encounters witches and warlocks, and is chased by them to a bridge, his horse Meg losing her tail in the escape. This dynamic sketch perfectly conveys the poem's wild energy and supernatural elements.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Tam O'Shanter
Eugène Delacroix, 1825
