Major Raeburn portraits acquired for Scotland

May 1 2018

Picture: Scottish National Galleries

The Scotish National Galleries has acquired a pair of portraits by Henry Raeburn, through the UK government's Acceptance in Lieu scheme (meaning, effectively, that the acquisition has been funded entirely by the taxpayer. The portraits show William Stuart Forbes, elder son of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo (1802–26) and John Stuart Hepburn Forbes, later 8th Baronet of Monymusk and of Fettercairn and Pitsligo (1804–66).  

It's not clear whether the portraits will be part of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, or the National Gallery on the Mound. More here on the SNG press page.

Update - here's a photo of the pictures hanging at the National Gallery of Scotland on the Mound. Which is all the more puzzling, because in the press release, it was the Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Christopher Baker (seen in the photo), who gave the quotes and welcomed the paintings. Of course, thanks to the recent, misguided management changes at the Scottish National Galleries, there is no 'Director' of the National Gallery of Scotland any more. Christopher Baker is in charge of all things portrait, whether the paintings are part of the National Portrait Gallery, or the National Gallery. Confused? (Not as confused as the poor people who have to work there...)

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