John Hogg's obituary was appended below this anonymous portrait, which is an unusual likeness of an ordinary nineteenth century workman. He would, however, be well known to everybody in Dunbar through his job and probably retailed local gossip as well as his official duties.

This is an ink and watercolour painting on paper. The paper bears a mark (upper left: BRISTOL PAPER around a crown) and is mounted in card with a canvas back. The subject is JOHN HOGG, BELLMAN AND PORTER IN DUNBAR, portrayed as a standing figure, in baggy clothes and hat. The inscription may be much younger than the painting.

The Bellman was a paid servant of a Royal Burgh. His occasional duties were to announce important local and national events throughout the town; his bell served to call people's attention. For additional income bellmen frequently had other work, in this case as a porter.