JOHN PHILLIP (1817-67)
The Dying Contrabandista
Signed and dated 1858RCIN 404562
Phillip returns to the theme of the wounded guerilla treated by Wilkie in his series of paintings inspired by the Spanish War of Independence (nos. XXX). Here, Phillip portrays the noble death of a smuggler in the arms of his beloved. She holds a mirror to his lips to check for his last breath, as companions keep watch in the venta or inn where they have taken refuge.
Purchased by Queen Victoria 1858