John Gray (1731–1811) of Newholm

The portrait of John Gray, executed by Sir Henry Raeburn in 1800, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection as a representative example of late Georgian portraiture. Recorded in the museum's catalog as an oil on canvas measuring 125.4 × 101.6 cm, it continues to inform scholarship on Raeburn's work and on the visual culture of Scottish portraiture.

This oil painting, completed in 1800 by the Scottish artist Sir Henry Raeburn, portrays John Gray (1731–1811) of Newholm. The work is a notable example of British Romantic portraiture, reflecting the era's artistic sensibilities. Raeburn, a prominent figure in Scottish art, was later appointed Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland. The artwork is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The portrait presents an elderly man, John Gray, with white hair, seated and dressed in a white shirt beneath a brown jacket. His gaze is direct, engaging the viewer with a serious expression. In his right hand, he holds a small, unidentified object.

Raeburn's depiction emphasizes the sitter's presence and character through this direct address and composed posture, characteristic of the period's focus on individual identity.

Sir Henry Raeburn was a leading Scottish portraitist during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his distinctive style that blended realism with a certain grandeur. His work, including this depiction of John Gray, aligns with the broader British Romantic movement, which valued individual expression and emotional depth. Raeburn's stature was formally recognized when he was named Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland, solidifying his position in the art world.