Photograph of a painting by David Octavious Hill depicting the foundation of the Free Church of Scotland. The picture shows the signing of the Act of Separation and Deed of Demission during the first General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland at Tanfield, Edinburgh. Those shown in the picture include the social reformer Reverend Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), moderator of the Disruption Assembly, Reverend Dr Patrick MacFarlane of Greenock, signing the Deed of Demission, and the official witnesses to the Deed of Demission; William Fraser, John Hunter, John Hamilton, and Reverend John Jaffray. Also shown is the ex-moderator of the General Assembly, Reverend Dr Welsh, who is holding a copy of "The Protest" left with the Assembly of the Established Church.

As the painter of this original art work, David Octavius Hill (1802-70), went on to form a partnership with the chemist and photographer Robert Adamson (1821-48). Together, they established a photography studio in Edinburgh that was in operation from 1843 until Adamson's death in 1848.