3-080-585 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Mrs William Pyper, 1900. Wife of William Pyper of Pitfodels just outside Aberdeen. Pyper was a prosperous merchant, and opened a store in the city in 1866. He was also the managing owner of Aberdeen's first steam trawling ship called 'the Toiler' and a prime mover in the establishment of The Aberdeen Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is fitting therefore that here Mrs Pyper is portrayed holding her dog, the couple were obviously both animal lovers. She wears a very fine dress with a veil covering her shoulders; her expensive clothes are an indication of the wealth that William Pyper had accrued through his various businesses.