This painting shows John Forbes, the younger son of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo who was a prominent Scottish banker and patron of the arts. The boy is shown in an affectionate pose with a black and white spotted
dog, possibly a Dalmatian Pointer cross, and presumably a family pet as it wears a padlocked metal collar. John would have been about eight years old when this was painted, and Raeburn has masterfully captured his
childish playfulness. John grew up to become a significant figure in society. He was an advocate and was elected as a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1809, Raeburn had painted a similar portrait of
John’s elder brother William (1802-1826), which is also in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland. Sadly, William died in Malta in 1826, so the family estate and title passed to John.
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