The Taking of Excalibur

The Taking of Excalibur is an oil painting by John Duncan in 1897. It is currently placed at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh. This Dundee-born, Symbolist painter was known for his work on Arthurian Legends, Celtic folklore and various other mythological subjects. About This painting evokes the legend of Arthur's Seat. Deep under the volcanic rock, two enormous dragons were said to reside. The King attempted in vain to construct massive fortresses on the land, but being the last in Scotland, the dragons fought underground every night. A huge battle between the serpent giants began when the King ordered the hill to be uncovered. They collided as they spiralled through the air, falling back into the seat's depths. This vision of Duncan draws on his Celtic heritage. This scene is significant because Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, which he used to defeat his enemies and establish his reign as the rightful King of Camelot. The sword is said to have magical properties and was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. The emergence of the Red Dragon and its transformation into Excalibur symbolizes the mystical and supernatural elements of the Arthurian legend. Arthur Thomson, in his Interpretation of the Paintings in the Lounge of Ramsay Lodge, said:"Merlin, calling to those who had come to see this wonder, said that on the morrow the red dragon would rise from the loch