Lodge St. Andrew #518

I never realised until I actually started researching for this section of the site that there are two versions of this painting. (See below). If anyone can shed some light on this I would like to hear from you..?

William Stewart Watson

The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of the Lodge
1846

Robert Burns became a freemason in 1781 and soon rose to become depute master of St James Lodge in Tarbolton. The subject here is the poet's supposed inauguration as Poet Laureate in the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No.2, in Edinburgh in 1787. It was painted nearly 60 later, using prints and family pictures to produce accurate portraits of those present. Although the artist undoubtedly believed in Burns's inauguration, it is unlikely that this event ever took place. Instead, the honour could have been conferred upon Burns at a later date.