Dutch School, circa 1650

This portrait was owned by one of the great Victorian industrialists, Robert Napier, who was often called the 'Father of Clyde Shipbuilding'. Napier built steamship engines, winning contracts with the East India Trading Company and the Admiralty - becoming the latter'’s primary engine builder - and co-founding the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. He built his home in West Shandon, by Garloch, to house his remarkable art collection, which included works by Henry Raeburn, as well as Dutch, French and Italian Old Masters. When the collection was sold at Christie'’s after his death it realszed the princely sum of £49,000.