Reverend Dr. John Reid Omond poses with his hand to his temple while leaning upon a book, suggesting the transference of knowledge from page to brain and also implying the significant weight of his intellect. Such attention to the subject's head and hands arguably had its roots in portrait painting of the 1700s. As secretary to the Royal Scottish Academy of Art, David Hill was familiar with Scotland's rich artistic tradition. He made this print in preparation for his painting The Disruption Picture,dealing with Scotland's dramatic religious event of 1843.