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ARTWORKS

Two Strings to Her Bow

John Pettie (1839–1893)

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Two Strings to Her Bow

Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

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As they walk along a sunny country lane, two handsome young men turn away from each other, looking extremely disgruntled – each clearly wishing his rival was not there. The young girl they are accompanying positively beams with delight.

The Victorians loved anecdotes, or pictures that told a story and Pettie's pictures were extremely popular because of their frivolous or light-hearted nature. His work was almost always historical or literary in content, so although this picture was painted in 1887, the three central characters wear Regency costumes dating from around 1815 to 1820. Period costume pieces were extremely popular with middle-class patrons at this time, as they evoked a cosy age of certainty, charm and simplicity.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Title

Two Strings to Her Bow

Date

1887

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 82.6 x W 119.4 cm

Accession number

663

Acquisition method

gift from Sir John Muir, 1888

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG Scotland

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
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Artist or maker

John Pettie

1839–1893

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