This painting, first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1863, shows the artist’s wife, Margaret Ferrier, with their eldest son. The couple’s eleven children often served as models for their father, who was best-known for his ‘fairy paintings’. Paton, a great friend of John Everett Millais, was much influenced by the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, sharing their concern for closely observed natural detail and historical accuracy. His later concentration on religious subject matter (widely marketed as popular prints) is explained at least in part by his need to support his large family. The little boy depicted here, Diarmid Noël Paton, grew up to become Professor of Physiology at Glasgow University and a pioneer in the study of nutrition and metabolism.