Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823)
Clayton & Bell
1917
Stairwell, the McManus
Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum
Scotland
This roundel is in one of the two Jubilee Windows on the stairwell of the former Albert Institute, now the McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland. Sir Henry Raeburn was chosen to represent Scotland's achievement in art: the famous Scottish portrait painter was the first of any importance to resist the temptation to move south, and to maintain his practice in Scotland. As a result, "Raeburn, secure in the admiration and constant patronage of his countrymen, lived his life to the end unvexed by the petty iealousy of inferior rivals. Nor was recognition confined to Scotland. Ultimately he was elected a member of the Royal Academy, an honour all the more valued because unsolicited" (Caw 12)
Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee.