Colvin Smith

Patrick Grant, 1713 - 1824, 1822, National Gallery of Scotland.

Colvin Smith RSA (1795 – 21 July 1875) was a Scottish portraitist.

Life

Smith was born at Brechin, in Angus, the son of John Smith, a merchant, and his wife, Cecilia Gillies. He studied art in London at the Royal Academy Schools and worked in Joseph Nollekens's studio. He then proceeded to work in Italy, where he executed some fine copies after Titian; and at Antwerp he made studies after the works of Rubens. Soon he attained a wide practice as a portrait-painter, and among his sitters were Lord Jeffrey, Henry Mackenzie, author of The Man of Feeling, and many of the most celebrated Scotsmen of the time.

His portrait of Sir Walter Scott was so popular that he executed some twenty replicas of it, for seven of which he received fresh sittings. His works are distinguished by excellent draftsmanship, by directness and simplicity of treatment, and by well-marked individuality.

He died in Edinburgh on 21 July 1875. He is buried with his parents in the churchyard of Brechin Cathedral. The grave lies south of the round tower.

Influence

Smith's students included James Irvine, who went on to be one of Scotland's best portrait painters.