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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Alternative virtue

Joanna Gilmour presents John Kay’s portraits of a more infamous side of Edinburgh.

More information on Alternative virtue

Selected images

10 images
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Self portrait, 1786 by John Kay
Self portrait, 1786 by John Kay
William Brodie, 1788 by John Kay
William Brodie, 1788 by John Kay
George Smith; William Brodie, 1788 by John Kay
George Smith; William Brodie, 1788 by John Kay
George Smith, 1788 by John Kay
George Smith, 1788 by John Kay
Thomas Muir of Huntershill, 1838 by John Kay
Thomas Muir of Huntershill, 1838 by John Kay
Joseph Gerrald, a delegate to the British Convention, 1794 by John Kay
Joseph Gerrald, a delegate to the British Convention, 1794 by John Kay
The Rev’d TF Palmer, New South Wales, 1793 by John Kay
The Rev’d TF Palmer, New South Wales, 1793 by John Kay
Citizen Skirving, Secretary to the British Convention, a tried patriot and an honest man, 1794 by John Kay
Citizen Skirving, Secretary to the British Convention, a tried patriot and an honest man, 1794 by John Kay
George Mealmaker, 1798 by John Kay
George Mealmaker, 1798 by John Kay
Robert Watt, 1794 by John Kay
Robert Watt, 1794 by John Kay
10 images
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.