Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut

The painting depicts a scene from Robert Burns' poem "Willie Brew'd A Peck O' Maut". It was painted by an associate of Willie Nichol of Laggan in Nithsdale, the hero of the poem and a friend of Burns. Burns' son William Nicol Burns was named fter him. Nichol gave the painting to Burns as a gift in 1793 and it remained in his possession until his death. It was presented to the Royal Burgh of Dumfries by the Earl of Roseberry DSO MC in 1942. It shows a dark indoor scene with three men, including Burns and Nicol around a table. Burns holds a pipe and points to a crescent moon outside the window. On the table is a punchbowl, serving jug, ladle, three glasses and a pipe.