I am celebrating International Dog Day by going back to my first visit to the National Galleries Scotland, located in the heart of a vibrant Edinburgh. It was during the height of the Fringe Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, when the Royal Mile is filled with festivities, laughter, and excited tourists (I include me in that description). Inside the Gallery, there was a tranquility marked by an occasional hushed comment.
I happened to look up as I passed through an archway. That was the moment when I saw the painting of Callum by John Emms, 1895. What I had stumbled upon by “looking up” was a profound connection between a man and his dog.
Callum, was a Dandie Dinmont terrier owned by Mr. James Cowan Smith. The painting was a bequest of James Cowan Smith in 1919. According to the Gallery notation:
“Mr James Cowan Smith 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.”
The legacy of £55,000 provided funds to purchase invaluable art work, including Constable’s Dedham Vale, and Sargent’s Lady Agnew and Goya’s El Medico.
I wonder if there is a painting of Fury. Always a mystery to solve…
All Hail the Dog! They are precious and irreplaceable !!!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree wholeheartedly! Dogs have a huge capacity for love, joy and loyalty! Virtual hugs coming back your way with great speed…
LikeLiked by 3 people
This is such a delightful article. I appreciate that you included the painting of the dog. I find it interesting that the painting includes the trophy, I suppose it was his food. Or maybe it was just a small animal that he spent time chasing. Good that we humans are celebrating our “Doggie” Friends internationally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am so glad you liked this story behind the painting. Every art piece has a narrative, but sometimes it gets lost in the folds of history. Following the trail of the story is a treasure hunt. You never know where the journey will lead, which is the best part of all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy International Dog Day! I love the stories you find for us in paintings. Callum is beautiful but what moves me to tears is that a dog lover and generous man made it possible for me to enjoy Lady Agnew. I adore Sargent’s painting of Lady Agnew.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hats off to the benevolence of art lovers and visionaries such as James Cowan Smith. The Galleries are undergoing some extensive refurbishment at the moment – you will be astonished at the changes when you next visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Liz! I can hardly wait to see the changes and am glad that I took photos so that I can see the before and after. Was thinking of you yesterday and your discussion about aging!!! Life is so amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d never heard of International Dog Day! The unconditional love the canine members of our family give us is indeed something to celebrate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think that International Dog Day is everyday for most of us. There is a profound sense of joy when we are greeted at the door with unconditional love. Art galleries hold so many stories. This story reminded me of the stained glass window at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. A legacy was given for a remarkable strained glass window with the provision that the benefactor’s dogs would be somewhere in the window. The artist was found the optimum place to capture the cute face. I must get those photos out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a wonderful Dog Day post! I love all the many things I learn on your blogs!
All this was news to me! Thank you, Rebecca!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many, many stories hidden in paintings. It really is a treasure hunt! I am grateful for those individuals that document stories and keep diaries. To me, this is what we, as bloggers are doing. Would be interesting to know what future generations think about us. Let’s keep writing and telling our stories. Hugs!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
{{{Hugs}}}
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, please do–and share them with us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am looking them up as I write this comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
One day for me 🙂 Do you have a dog? what type?
LikeLike
So glad that you stopped by! Thank you. I have had marvelous dog companions in the past, but as of now, I enjoy the many dogs I meet along the seawall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scots do love their canines. I’m sure you saw the dog cemetery at the castle, too.🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did see the dog cemetery – it was such a wonderful surprise. And somehow history became more real to me – names took the form of human beings rather than being a static fact.
LikeLike