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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Jonathan Jones

History and heroism: Benjamin West's The Death of the Stag

Death of the Stag, Benjamin West
This staggering picture portrays a moment of violence, energy and heroism from the history of Scotland. Benjamin West specialised in such moments in his big and occasionally moving history paintings. In 1786 he finished this work that was commissioned by a member of the Clan Mackenzie who wanted to show off his ancestors. It shows a famous Mackenzie saving Alexander III in a sticky moment on a hunt. However legendary the event, West makes it a great moment in the history of the world. Illustration: Trumps/National Galleries of Scotland
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