# The Cromartie Fool

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/waitt-richard-r525a9547a5d02d/the-cromartie-fool-rc7d300f449e731>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [WAITT, Richard](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/waitt-richard-r525a9547a5d02d>)
- Date: 1701-1750
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 72 x 60 cm

## Commentary

This grinning man holds a kail stock with a burning candle stuck in the top. This helps identify him as the fool or jester of a Scottish laird, who probably presided over Halloween festivities. Traditionally, unmarried men and women pulled up kail stocks to confirm the character of their future partner. A candle was then stuck into the end to make a torch. This portrait, painted in 1731, was possibly part of a series depicting Scottish clan members.

## Related artworks

- [Portrait of John 20th Earl of Crawford and Lindsay](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/waitt-richard-r525a9547a5d02d/portrait-of-john-20th-earl-of-crawford-and-lindsay-r34eb72237c237f>)
- [Self-Portrait](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/waitt-richard-r525a9547a5d02d/self-portrait-r2455adb6c009d8>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)