William Stothert of Cargen and Blaiket (1791–1863)

This 1815 portrait of William Stothert of Cargen at Dumfries Museum records a Dumfriesshire landowner whose estate was part of the southwest Scottish gentry network. Raeburn’s portraiture extended throughout lowland Scotland, documenting the regional landowning class. Raeburn's distinctive 'square touch' technique applied oil paint in bold, direct strokes without underdrawing, building characterizations through decisive marks that gave his portraits an unusual physical immediacy and freshness.

The portrait shows Raeburn’s characteristic direct technique applied to a southwest Scottish subject. Bold tonal modeling and confident brushwork create a vivid impression of the country gentleman.