The Coming of Bride 1917

John Duncan created 'The Coming of Bride' around the turn of the twentieth century, but the exact date and the medium are unknown. It is an intriguing image that invites us to delve into the cultural imagination of Scotland at the time. Duncan was part of the Celtic Revival, a movement that sought to recapture a sense of national identity through folklore, mythology, and the Gaelic language. Duncan’s painting evokes a pre-Christian past through its depiction of Bride, or St. Brigid, an Irish Goddess and Saint associated with spring, fertility, and healing. She is surrounded by children and young women in a blossoming landscape, suggesting a renewal of life and a connection to the land. To understand the painting fully, we need to research the social and political context of Scotland during this period, looking into the history of the Celtic Revival movement and the ways in which it shaped the production and reception of art. Through this historical lens, we can appreciate the work as a reflection of its time and a powerful expression of cultural identity.