East Lothian became a Mecca for artists in the second half of the nineteenth century. Many of them worked professionally and their work helped to popularise the county. In the 20th century the landscape provided further inspiration to artists working with a different perspective.

The subject of this oil painting is a stylised blue animal (probably a horse), eating some hay in front of a large farm gate. Traprain Law can be seen in the background of the painting.

Eric Ritchie was born at Aberdeen in 1934. He trained at Edinburgh College of Art where he became a part-time member of staff. After travelling in Europe he returned to Scotland and painted in East Lothian and Berwickshire, close to his home in Cockenzie.