(1796 - 1875)
Colvin Smith, portrait painter, was born in Brechin in Forfarshire, Scotland, the son of a merchant, manufacturer and magistrate. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools, London, from 1816 before travelling to Italy. He returned to Scotland in 1827 and set himself up as a portrait painter in Edinburgh, in the former studio of Sir Henry Raeburn. Smith is best known for painting around 20 portraits of Sir Walter Scott. The first, dating from 1828, was painted for the politician and advocate William Adam. Following this, many of Scott’s friends requested their own version. Smith achieved considerable success by following the tradition of earlier, celebrated Scottish portraitists including Raeburn. He died at his home in Edinburgh aged 79.
