This Dandie Dinmont is called Callum; (the rodent is unidentified). Painted by John Emms in 1895, he hangs in Edinburgh's National Gallery where you could easily walk by and not pay him much attention, but he deserves a second look because it's on account of this 'wee dug' that the gallery got a big legacy:
"Callum was [...] owned by Mr James Cowan Smith who bequeathed £55,000 to the National Gallery of Scotland in 1919. This enormous amount formed an important trust fund for acquisitions. His bequest had two conditions: the first that the Gallery provided for his dog Fury, who survived him; the second that Emms’ picture of his previous dog Callum should always be hung in the Gallery. Both conditions were fulfilled, and although Fury is long since dead, Callum still hangs in the Gallery in memory of his owner."
Sounds like a good deal all round.
The story of Fury's care/caretaker might be an interesting one, as well!
Posted by: Rebecca | 10 February 2017 at 11:23 PM
It might well be!
Posted by: Cornflower | 11 February 2017 at 08:46 AM
Good old Mr James Cowan Smith.
Posted by: Sam | 11 February 2017 at 10:29 AM
The painter has certainly caught Callum's mischievous face. Have you seen the books Dogs of Old London and Dogs of the First World War. If not you would love them. The photos are all from the collections of Libby Hall. I think she gave most of her collection to the Kennel Club.
Posted by: Kathleen | 11 February 2017 at 06:13 PM