The Monarch of the Glen - a classic image of Scotland

The Monarch of the Glen is an oil-on-canvas painting of a red deer stag against a recognisably Scottish backdrop of mountains and lowering skies. It is thought that the setting is Glen Affric.

The painting was completed in 1851 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer. Landseer was a member of the Royal Academy, a favourite of Queen Victoria, and was known for his paintings and drawings of animals. The sculptures of the lions at the foot of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square are his work.

In 1850, Landseer received a national commission to paint three subjects connected with hunting for the Refreshment Rooms of the House of Lords, for which he produced Monarch of the Glen and two other paintings. Once they were completed, the House of Commons (presumably due to some spat with the House of Lords) refused to grant the £150 promised for the commission (equivalent to £17,065 in 2021). Instead, the paintings were sold to private collectors.

The painting passed through numerous collectors and was exhibited many times. It became one of the most popular paintings of the 19th century and was sold widely in engraved reproductions. Landseer's own brother Thomas, in fact, made engravings of many of his works and helped to increase Landseer's popularity both with the aristocracy and with the middle classes.

The Monarch of the Glen began its long career as a brand image when it was purchased in 1916 by Pears soap company and featured in their advertising. It was sold on to John Dewar & Sons distillery and became their trademark before similarly being used by Glenfiddich. The painting was then acquired during a corporate takeover by Diageo.

Diageo then loaned the painting to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

In 2016, Diageo announced their intention to sell the painting, as they stated it had "no direct link to our business or brands". The National Galleries of Scotland was offered the painting, valued at £8 million, at half this price, if they could raise the required £4 million. A campaign was then launched to raise the funds, which succeeded.

The Monarch of the Glen can now be seen on display at the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.

Over the years the painting, or versions of it, has appeared in various places including a 1940s tin of McVitie's shortbread, the products of American company Challenge Diaries, and tins of Baxter's Royal Game soup.

Further reading

• The Monarch of the Glen - National Galleries of Scotland