Artwork
Christina Lamont Drummond, Mrs Dougald Campbell of Ballimore (1735 - 1810)
Christina Lamont Drummond, Mrs Dougald Campbell of Ballimore (1735 - 1810) is an oil painting by Henry Raeburn. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
This portrait painting depicts a woman sitting in a green chair, with her hands resting on the armrests.
This portrait painting depicts a woman sitting in a green chair, with her hands resting on the armrests. She is dressed in a dark brown coat over a white dress and has a white headscarf. The background is a blurry landscape with trees and a cloudy sky.
The woman's expression is serious, and her posture is upright. Her clothing and hairstyle suggest that the painting is from the 18th century. The artist's use of color and lighting creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the painting.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this portrait, look up Henry Raeburn.
Overview
Created in 1798, this oil on canvas portrait by Scottish artist Henry Raeburn presents Christina Lamont Campbell, identified as Mrs. Dougald Campbell of Ballimore. The work is part of the Scottish National Gallery’s collection and exemplifies the formal portraiture typical of the late eighteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown seated in a green chair, hands placed on the armrests, wearing a dark brown coat over a white dress and a modest white headscarf. Her expression is sober and her posture erect, conveying the dignity expected of a woman of her social standing in the period.
Technique & Style
Raeburn employs a restrained palette, contrasting the deep browns of the coat with the crisp whites of the dress and headscarf. Subtle gradations of light model the figure’s form, while a softened, atmospheric background of trees and clouded sky recedes, enhancing the three‑dimensional presence of the sitter.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted the same year Raeburn began to gain recognition beyond his Edinburgh clientele, eventually receiving the appointment of Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland. After remaining in private hands, it entered the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on public display.
Context
The painting reflects the conventions of late‑Georgian portraiture, where attire, posture, and setting communicate status and character. Raeburn’s approach balances realism with a hint of idealisation, situating the work within the broader trend of Scottish portraiture that sought to assert national artistic identity during the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Henry Raeburn (; 4 March 1756 – 8 July 1823) was a Scottish portrait painter. He served as Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland.
