König Starno zeigt Fingal seine tote Tochter

About this artwork

Nach dem 3. Gesang der "Poems of Ossian", Vers 78–89.

Art Historical Context

This monumental oil on canvas by Enrico Scuri captures a dramatic moment from James Macpherson “Poems of Ossian,” specifically the third canto, verses 78–89. Titled “König Starno Fingal seine tote Tochter,” the large-scale work (195 × 265 cm) portrays the Celtic king Starno presenting the lifeless body of his daughter to the warrior Fingal. The scene draws on the Ossianic cycle’s blend of ancient legend and 18th-century Romantic sensibility, themes that resonated across Europe during the late Enlightenment and early 19th century. Painted in the academic tradition, Scuri’s composition emphasizes emotional intensity through the contrast of figures and the somber palette typical of history painting. Oil on canvas allowed the artist to achieve rich tonal depth and subtle modeling of drapery and flesh, heightening the tragic pathos of the encounter. The work’s presence in the Belvedere Collection in Vienna reflects the enduring fascination with Ossian among Central European collectors and artists who sought to connect contemporary painting with mythic northern European heritage.