Sir William Worthy and Patie
David Allan, often dubbed the 'Scottish Hogarth,' brings a lively dose of rural drama to this illustration for Allan Ramsay's famous pastoral play, *The Gentle Shepherd*. Inside a rustic cottage with cured hams hanging from the rafters, the dapper young Patie shakes hands with the cloaked Sir William Worthy, who appears to be making a solemn vow. While a woman in the background throws her hands up in shock—perhaps mourning the broken fiddle on the floor—the old shepherd Symon sits calmly eating his porridge, completely unfazed by the emotional reunion. It’s a perfect mix of high emotion and earthy humor, showcasing Allan’s talent for capturing Scottish life.
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