DEAF art fans are the focus of a new exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

One of Henry Raeburn's most famous portraits, Boy and Rabbit, is to appear at the museum on loan from the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts (RA) in London.

The display will be unveiled during International Deaf Week, which is fitting as the portrait features the artist’s step-grandson, Henry Raeburn Inglis, who was Deaf.

A programme of events, talks and workshops will be on offer around the different themes explored by the painting while it is on display.

Chairman of Glasgow Life, Councillor David McDonald, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome such a seminal painting as Raeburn’s Boy and Rabbit to Kelvingrove and share it with the million plus people who visit the museum every year.

"The loan is part of an exciting reciprocal agreement with the Royal Academy in London.

"Such partnerships enable Scottish audiences to enjoy striking artworks from other important collections across the UK.

"Boy and Rabbit is one of the RA’s most popular paintings and I’m sure it will become a favourite among visitors during its time in Glasgow.”

Glasgow Museums’ D/deaf Guides assisted with the written interpretation that accompanies the painting.

They share how, in their experience, caring for an animal can have a calming effect on D/deaf people and the lack of communication barriers often leads to particularly close owner / animal bonds.

A new initiative will see volunteer guides provide BSL guided tours of Kelvingrove Museum, on request.

Janis McDonald Chief Officer of Scottish Council on Deafness said: “I want to commend Kelvingrove Museum staff for taking the time to develop this project and highlight this wonderful painting as part of International Deaf week.

"Glasgow Museums are working hard to ensure deaf people find it easy to access their facilities and enjoy the full experience and joy that art and culture bring.

"They are going further than simply levelling the playing field and using this work to promote and support deaf awareness.”

Henry Raeburn, who died in1823, was a prominent Scottish Enlightenment painter.

The Glasgow Museum’s Learning and Access team has pulled together an informative public programme, which includes curator’s talks, BSL guided tours, a children’s art competition and animal handling sessions.

Mr McDonald added: “Glasgow Life is committed to ensuring everyone can access the city’s incredible collection.

"The addition of specially trained volunteer BSL guides, who are able to bring the stories behind many of the objects on display in Kelvingrove to life for those who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment, is a welcome addition to the services we offer.

"I want to thank the guides for giving of their time to assist Kelvingrove in this way.”

Boy and Rabbit is on loan from the RA while Kelvingrove's famous painting Christ of St John on the Cross is shown in London.

Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Arts, said: “We are extremely grateful to Kelvingrove for loaning their treasured painting Christ of St John on the Cross by Salvador Dali to our forthcoming exhibition Dali/Duchamp.

"This has presented us with a great opportunity to reciprocate with the loan of Raeburn’s Boy and Rabbit from the RA’s collection.

"Consequently, two great and utterly unconnected works will be shown to new audiences in hitherto unseen contexts and I for one am relishing the chance to see both.”

Boy and Rabbit will hang in the Looking at Art gallery in Kelvingrove Museum until June 2018.