Sir Henry Raeburn

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Raeburn, Sir Henry (b Stockbridge [now a district of Edinburgh], 4 Mar. 1756; d Edinburgh, 8 July 1823). The leading Scottish portrait painter of his period, active mainly in Edinburgh. On leaving school he was apprenticed to a goldsmith and he appears to have been largely self-taught as a painter. In 1784–6 he visited Italy (going via London, where he is said to have met Reynolds), but his distinctive style was already formed by this time—one of his finest works, the Revd Robert Walker Skating (NG, Edinburgh), is traditionally said to date from 1784. He painted directly on to the canvas without preliminary drawings, and his vigorous, bold handling—sometimes called his ‘square touch’—could be extraordinarily effective in conveying the character of rugged Highland chiefs or bluff legal worthies. He also had a penchant for vivid and original lighting effects (William Glendonwyn, c.1795, Fitzwilliam Mus., Cambridge) and could be remarkably sensitive when painting women (Isabella McLeod, Mrs James Gregory, c.1798, Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire, NT). At times, however, his technical facility degenerated into empty virtuosity. In 1822, on the occasion of George IV's visit to Edinburgh, he was knighted and appointed His Majesty's Limner for Scotland. Since he had all the sitters he needed in Scotland, there was no need for him to compete with Lawrence and Hoppner in London (although he did consider moving there after Hoppner's death in 1810), and in the history of British portraiture he is an isolated and perhaps underrated figure.

Raeburn, Sir Henry (1756–1823). The leading Scottish portrait painter of his period, active mainly in his native Edinburgh. On leaving school he was apprenticed to a goldsmith and he appears to have been largely self-taught as a painter. In 1784–6 he visited Italy (going via London, where he is said to have met Reynolds), but his distinctive style was already formed by this time—one of his finest works, the Revd Robert Walker Skating (NG, Edinburgh), is traditionally said to date from 1784. He painted directly on to the canvas without preliminary drawings, and his vigorous, bold handling—sometimes called his ‘square touch’—could be extraordinarily effective in conveying the character of rugged Highland chiefs or bluff legal worthies. He also had a penchant for vivid and original lighting effects (William Glendonwyn, c.1795, Fitzwilliam Mus., Cambridge) and could be remarkably sensitive when painting women (Isabella McLeod, Mrs James Gregory, c.1798, Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire, NT). At times, however, his technical facility degenerated into empty virtuosity. In 1822, on the occasion of George IV's visit to Edinburgh, he was knighted and appointed His Majesty's Limner for Scotland. Since he had all the sitters he needed in Scotland, there was no need for him to compete with Lawrence and Hoppner in London (although he did consider moving there after Hoppner's death in 1810), and in the history of British portraiture he is an isolated and perhaps underrated figure.

Sir Henry Raeburn , 1756-1823, Scottish portrait painter, b. near Edinburgh. He was apprenticed to a goldsmith at 15 and he showed considerable talent. In 1784 he went to London and there met Reynolds, who greatly influenced him. After living for two years in Italy, where he developed his virtuoso brush technique, Raeburn returned to Edinburgh in 1787. Establishing himself in that city, he portrayed the prominent persons of his native Scotland. His work was in constant demand, and he enjoyed many honors, including knighthood (1822). His portraits number over 700. At its best, Raeburn's work is distinguished by forcefulness, technical finesse, and a direct approach achieved without preliminary drawings. He is best represented in the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, which contains, among many others, his self-portrait and portraits of Mrs. Campbell, Dr. Adam, and Lord Newton. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection in New York City and the Huntington Art Gallery in San Marino, Calif., have examples of his work.

Bibliography: See biographies by E. R. Dibdin (1925) and J. Seligman (1938).

Raeburn, Sir Henry (1756–1823). Raeburn was born and worked all his life in Edinburgh. He was the leading Scottish portrait painter of his day, recording many of the personalities of the city and a number of Highland chieftains before the time of depopulation and emigration. Largely self-taught, he visited London in 1784 on his way to study in Italy and met Reynolds, whose style influenced him in a way that his Italian experience did not. Having married a wealthy widow in 1780, he added to their fortune by buying land on the outskirts of Edinburgh which he developed speculatively. In 1812 he was elected ARA and a full RA three years later. In 1822, when George IV visited Edinburgh, he knighted Raeburn, creating him king's limner and painter for Scotland the following year. Raeburn's portraits of Mrs Scott-Moncrieff and of the Revd Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch are among many of his works in the National Gallery of Scotland.

June Cochrane

Raeburn, Sir Henry (1756–1823). Raeburn was born and worked all his life in Edinburgh. He was the leading Scottish portrait painter of his day. Largely self‐taught, he visited London in 1784 on his way to study in Italy and met Reynolds, whose style influenced him in a way that his Italian experience did not. In 1812 he was elected ARA and a full RA three years later. In 1822, when George IV visited Edinburgh, he knighted Ræburn, creating him king's limner and painter for Scotland the following year.