Scottish Blog

1758-1840

Alexander Nasmyth is often referred to as the father of Scottish landscape painting.

Alexander Nasmyth was born on the 9th of September 1758, in Edinburgh. He began his art training at the Trustee Academy. At the age of sixteen Alexander Nasmyth left the academy and began his career as an artist.

This began with apprentice position for a local coach builder, painting Clan symbols on the coaches. While in this position he gained the attention of Allan Ramsay, who at the time was a famous portrait painter. So impressed was Allan Ramsay with the skill that Alexander Nasmyth showed that he took him to London in a sort of apprentice position. He stayed in London until 1778 painting smaller parts of Allan Ramsay paintings. He remained in Edinburgh and was a renowned portrait artist until 1782, whereupon he received a loan and traveled to study in Italy.

After spending time improving his technique and artistry, Alexander Nasmyth once again returned to Scotland. At this point in time he completed one of his most famous works, a portrait of Robert Burns, which still hangs in the Scottish National Gallery.

As a person Alexander Nasmyth was very outspoken in his opinions, which ultimately led to the decline in work for him as a portrait artist. His liberal opinions did not bode well with many of his clients. As the amount of work for him declined he began to focus more on landscape art, which came to earn him the title of “the father of Scottish landscape art”. From this line of work Alexander Nasmyth also extended himself to set design and landscape design for nobles. Alexander Nasmyth passed away on the 10th of April 1840.

See also: Famous Scots.