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The Hunterian - Old Ways New Roads
  • Exhibition
    • The Theatre of War
    • Antiquities
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    • Picturesque Prospects and Literary Landscapes
    • Timeline of Travels
    • Explore by Location
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Exhibition > Exhibition > Antiquities > Pennant’s Tour, Joseph Banks and the Western Isles > St Columbus Church, Iona

James Miller

A View of the Church of Columb Kill, on the Island of Iona

Like the study of monastic ruins on Oronsay, this picturesque view of the church on the sacred nearby isle of Iona was made in London from on-the-spot drawings. The pointed contrast between the grand but overgrown and ruinous structure and the cottage aims to highlight the poverty of the landscape and its peoples, a comment often found in contemporary accounts of the islands. But the motif – a familiar one in painting and poetry of the period – also strikes a melancholic note, about the passing of time and the hard toil of the less fortunate.

1775
Pen, ink and watercolour
© The British Library Board

ancient monument eyewitness account illustration Iona islands tour scenic spot

Explore more...

  • Location

    Iona
  • Event

    The artist as eye-witness: Joseph Banks, John Cleveley, and the Millers in the Western Isles

    30 June 2020

  • Tour Account

    Joseph Banks (1743-1820)

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Copyright © 2021 The Hunterian | Old Ways New Roads
The University of Glasgow is a registered Scottish charity:
Registration Number SC004401

  • Accessibility Statement  Freedom of Information
  • FOI publication scheme  Modern Slavery Statement
  • Privacy and cookies  Terms of use
  • Exhibition
    • The Theatre of War
    • Antiquities
    • Natural History
    • Custom and Improvement
    • Picturesque Prospects and Literary Landscapes
    • Timeline of Travels
    • Explore by Location
  • Events
    • Upcoming
    • Previous Events
  • Your Ways
    • Contributions
    • Research Projects
  • Discover More
  • Blog
  • Credits
  • Contact
  • Accessibility statement
  • Freedom of Information
  • FOI publication scheme
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Privacy and cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Exhibition
    • The Theatre of War
    • Antiquities
    • Natural History
    • Custom and Improvement
    • Picturesque Prospects and Literary Landscapes
    • Timeline of Travels
    • Explore by Location
  • Events
    • Upcoming
    • Previous Events
  • Your Ways
    • Contributions
    • Research Projects
  • Discover More
  • Blog
  • Credits
  • Contact
  • Accessibility statement
  • Freedom of Information
  • FOI publication scheme
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Privacy and cookies
  • Terms of use