In Focus | Reverend Robert Walker by Henry Raeburn

Henry Raeburn’s well-known portrait, popularly known as ‘The Skating Minister’ has become an icon of Scottish art. The painting is consistently sought out by gallery visitors, keen to see this small image in person. Quite why it has become such a popular and well-known painting is something of a mystery, given that it shows a man in dark clothing in a grey landscape. But the quirkiness of his pose, humorous concept of a solemn minister skating, and the quintessentially Scottish setting come together in an energetic and unusual portrait. Maybe the simplicity is part of its appeal. More than any other painting in the collection, it has inspired numerous pastiches. Take a look at how this charming painting has captured our attention and how today he continues to appeal to audiences around the globe. In this new series devoted to Scottish Art, we look at paintings by some of the nation’s finest artists. We examine them to uncover what makes each work so special and reveal some of the stories behind them. This s