The Skating Minister
Henry Raeburn · 1795
Why it's great
A man in black glides across an icy pond on one leg, arms crossed, wearing a black hat. Reverend Robert Walker was a member of a skating club in Edinburgh. Raeburn painted him in a lively pose, which made the portrait famous. It is one of the most popular paintings in Scotland.
Where to see it
📍 National Gallery of ScotlandEdinburgh, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Henry Raeburn was born in Stockbridge, near Edinburgh, Scotland, and became Scotland's best-known portrait painter. He painted writers, lawyers and clan chiefs with a lively, confident brush. He was knighted in 1822. He lived and worked in Edinburgh until his death in 1823.
