Scottish painter James Paterson belonged to the group of artists representing the so-called Glasgow School in the 1880s and 1890s. After his educational journey to Paris, the artist settled in the village of Moniaive (the County of Dumfries) in 1884. This is where his best artworks were created en plein air. According to the inscription on the back of the canvas, the painting depicts Morton Castle. The architecture of the tower does resemble the silhouette of these ancient castle ruins, which were also located in the County of Dumfries in southwest Scotland, not far from Paterson’s studio. The castle, which was built in the 15th century, suffered serious fire damage in 1588 and was destroyed during armed conflicts. Conservation efforts were started in the 1890s, which helped to preserve the ruins to this day. Paterson probably depicted the well-preserved mighty western tower of the castle.