A long-lost portrait of Scottish poet Robert Burns, painted by Henry Raeburn in 1803, has been rediscovered after 200 years. The painting was found at a house clearance sale by Wimbledon Auctions in London, where it was estimated at just £300–£500 but sold for £68,000 after a bidding war. It has since been conserved and authenticated by the National Galleries of Scotland, and is now on public display in Edinburgh alongside the original 1787 portrait by Alexander Nasmyth, just in time for Burns Night celebrations.
The rediscovery is significant because it resolves a long-standing scholarly mystery and adds a major work to the known oeuvre of Henry Raeburn, a celebrated Scottish portrait painter. The portrait also deepens the cultural legacy of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, whose works like "Auld Lang Syne" remain globally iconic. The painting's appearance during Burns Night underscores its resonance with Scottish heritage and the enduring market value of historically important portraiture.