David Wilkie (1785–1841) (?)

This portrait tentatively identified as David Wilkie at the Lady Lever Art Gallery may depict the celebrated Scottish genre painter who was one of the most successful artists of the early 19th century. If the identification is correct, it records a fascinating encounter between Scotland’s greatest portraitist and its most famous genre painter. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays bold, direct brushwork building form through vigorous strokes of light and shadow rather than careful blending, with minimal underdrawing.

The portrait displays Raeburn’s confident mature technique. The tentative identification adds scholarly interest, as the sitter’s features can be compared with known likenesses of the young Wilkie.