William McTaggart, R.S.A., R.S.W.

Commissioned by the father of the sitter Mr John Ritchie Findlay, Edinburgh;
George Balfour MP, grandfather of the present owner by c.1930

Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1879, no.73

James L. Caw, William McTaggart, 1917, pp.75, 242

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There are a few tiny spots of staining above the tail of the dog and a few small, light spots of staining in the sky; otherwise the work appears in excellent overall condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV light reveals some sweeping areas of retouching in the sky, a few flecks to the dog's head and some cosmetic retouchings to the girl's face. FRAME Held in a gilt composite frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present delightful portrait depicts the daughter of John Ritchie Findlay (1824-1898) proprietor of The Scotsman newspaper. He was one of Scotland's greatest philantropists and donated much of his vast wealth to good causes: he was the Secretary of The Society of Antiquaries, President of the Association for the Medical Education of Women, Founder of the Edinburgh Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor and Director of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. Findlay was also an art lover and gave £70,000 to build the National Portrait Gallery in his hometown of Edinburgh and generously endowed the National Gallery.

'Gracie' was presumably the nick-name of Findlay's only child, Dora Louise, who married Sir Edmund Backhouse and lived until 1958. McTaggart painted her plucking the petals from buttercups as she listens to the babbling of a burn, accompanied by a Highland Terrier who seems fascinated by the torrents of water.

The present work was part of the collection of George Balfour (1872-1941) founder of the construction company Balfour Beatty and Member of Parliament for Hampstead.