Graham-Gilbert was known mainly as a portrait painter following in the tradition of Raeburn, whose influence is evident in this work. Robert Bald (1776–1861) was a land surveyor, civil and mining engineer and keen antiquarian. He was probably the most experienced and skilled manager, consultant and authority on coal mining in Scotland and was considered the leading expert of his time. He spent much of his working life in the employment of the mine-owning Erskine family of Alloa Tower. His book, 'A General View of the Coal Trade of Scotland', 1808, exposed the dreadful conditions in which most of the miners and their families worked. He campaigned to abolish the employment of women and children in the mines throughout Scotland, though his efforts in Alloa met with opposition because the loss of earnings caused great hardship.