About this artwork

Callum was a Dandie Dinmont terrier owned by Mr James Cowan Smith who bequeathed £55,000 to the National Galleries 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.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    John Emms (1843 - 1912) English
  • title:
    Callum
  • date created:
    Dated 1895
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    69.90 x 90.20 cm; Framed: 93.20 x 113.60 x 10.00 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Bequest of James Cowan Smith 1919
  • accession number:
    NG 1226
  • gallery:
  • subject:
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John Emms

John Emms