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23i - Cave of Fingal, in Staffa one of the Hebridean islands

Courtesy of National Library of Scotland | CC BY 4.0

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Date

1781-1820

Artist

Collection

National Library of Scotland

Image Link

https://digital.nls.uk/74635650

Description

This engraving shows the cathedral-like entrance and inner sanctum of Fingal's Cave, on the Hebridean island of Staffa. The archway entrance to Fingal's Cave has vertical columns of basalt, while inside the cave is luminous floor of water. The 'Pillar Island' was popular with artists, writers and musicians during the nineteenth century, and was the inspiration for Felix Mendelssohn's overture, 'The Hebrides', as well as some of William Turner's most famous paintings. There is no date for this engraving and the artist is unknown. The entrance to Fingal's Cave is composed of a network of hexagonal-shaped rocks - just like a honeycomb, formed during volcanic activity. These hexagonal rocks are very similar to stepping-stones, which is why the Giant's Causeway, near Coleraine in Northern Ireland, might be the other half of Fingal's Cave - hence Staffa's place in Celtic mythology.
Collective title: Hutton Drawings > [Volume 1] > Argyllshire
More details about the album and its contents can be found on the collection website.

Image Licence

CC BY 4.0

Image Credit

Courtesy of National Library of Scotland

Location

Fingal's Cave, Staffa, Scotland

Country

Tags

Seascapes
Islands
Caves

Category

Landscapes & Seascapes

Glossary
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© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform

© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform