9 OF 44

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Bt

9 of 44 portraits of Sir Walter Scott, 1st Bt

by Sir William Allan
oil on board, 1831
32 in. x 25 in. (813 mm x 635 mm)
Purchased, 1871
Primary Collection
NPG 321

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Sitterback to top

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Bt (1771-1832), Novelist and poet. Sitter associated with 44 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir William Allan (1782-1850), Painter and engraver; President of the Royal Scottish Academy. Artist associated with 9 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait by Allan shows the novelist, poet and historian Sir Walter Scott seated in his study at his home at Abbotsford in Scotland. He is reading a proclamation made by Mary Queen of Scots previous to her marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. One of his many dogs, thought to be either Maida or Bran, sits by the fire. The artist made a record of the many remarkable objects in the room: 'the vase was the gift of Lord Byron; the keys hanging by the window are those of 'Heart of Mid Lothian' or Old Tolbooth of Edinburg(h). The Sword suspended from the Bookcase belonged to Montrose, and the Rifle surmounting the various articles hanging over the Mantlepiece to Speckbacher the Tyrolese Partriot; near the Bookcase are hung an ancient Border Bugle, James VI's travelling Flask, and the Sporan or Purse of Rob Roy Mcgregor. Behind the Bust of Shakespeare is Rob Roy's long gun, above which is Claverhous's Pistol and below a brace formerly the Property of Napoleon'.