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The Heron Disturbed, Richard Redgrave, c. 1850, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Paintings

Size: 13 1/2 x 19 7/8 in. (34.29 x 50.48 cm) (canvas) Medium: Oil on millboard

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/2574/

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“The outcast” by Richard Redgrave

Painted in 1851, Richard Redgrave uses oils to depict a Victorian family’s response to a daughter bringing home an illegitimate child. Reminiscent of the romanticism movement, Redgrave has filled this painting with emotion and drama. The father, firm in his decision to cast out his daughter and grandchild- I’m assuming, reflects the unmovable societal principals and morals that were held at the time. Redgrave has depicted a daughter begging to her father in the fore-ground of the painting to no effect, while what could be a son, weeps behind, being comforted by his mother as another looks on in confusion. The begging daughter being placed in the fore-ground, in a yellow garment which is noticeable against the other colours, is important as it highlights the desperation caused by the situation, helping the onlooker to feel sympathetic. The daughter being noticeable also highlights her fathers’ character, which is portrayed as cruel and harsh. However, to a Victorian onlooker, the father could be a symbol of strength, holding his ground to do what was deemed “right”. This is because during the Victorian era, Christianity was the main religion, and they believed that bearing a child out of wedlock was sinful and would bring shame upon the family. Another family member seems to be praying in the background, Redgrave has painted her as almost looking desperate, as if she is begging to God but to no avail, again, this shows the feelings of desperation but also the views that society held at the time in regards to bearing children out of wedlock.

The women bearing the child is being cast out into the snow, this painting seems very biblical so reminds me of Eve being cast out of the garden of Eden and having to survive in a wasteland for committing a sin. Redgrave seems to be suggesting that having a child out of wedlock is sinful, and will only cause a family sorrow. However, this painting is quite ambiguous and it could be interpreted in a different way. This painting evokes sympathy towards the young mother being abandoned by her family, and sparks the feelings of resentment towards the father, as I mentioned earlier. I believe that Redgrave doesn’t agree with the societal principals held at the time, as otherwise he would not have painted such a dark scene full of anguish and despair. However, it could have been interpreted in a manner that could have harmed young mothers in situations similar to the one depicted here, or would have left the viewer with conflicted opinions on the matter. Therefore, I believe that when tackling a message such as this one, it would be helpful to the viewer to make the message clear, as otherwise it may lead to a misinterpretation, or cause a divide of opinion on the matter.

Sources:

https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/work-of-art/the-outcast

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outcast_(Redgrave_painting)

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