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Colvin Smith

1795 – 1875

British artist

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About Colvin Smith

Lived 1795 – 1875 (aged 79–80). Colvin Smith was a British painter.

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.

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Important facts

Born
1795, Brechin
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
C. Smith, Colvin Smith RSA

People in Colvin Smith's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Colvin Smith's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Colvin Smith?

British artist (1795-1875)

When was Colvin Smith born?

Colvin Smith was born in 1795 in Brechin.

When did Colvin Smith die?

Colvin Smith died on 21 July 1875 in Edinburgh.

What was Colvin Smith's occupation?

Colvin Smith was a painter.

What nationality was Colvin Smith?

Colvin Smith was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Colvin Smith

· Wikidata: Q5150312

· DBpedia: Colvin Smith

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Colvin Smith. https://biography.guide/colvin-smith/

MLA: "Colvin Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/colvin-smith/.

Chicago: "Colvin Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/colvin-smith/.

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