Sir Henry Raeburn
(1756-1823), Portrait painterSitter in 3 portraits
Artist associated with 75 portraits
Born in Scotland, Henry Raeburn was first apprenticed to a goldsmith, but turned to painting miniatures, an art in which he was apparently self-taught. In around 1780 Raeburn married Ann Leslie, a wealthy widow, and was able to travel and study in Italy under the artist Pompeo Batoni. Upon his return to Edinburgh, Raeburn became a prolific and fashionable portrait artist. Raeburn also acted as trustee to the will of Alexander Edgar in which capacity he oversaw the selling of Edgar’s slaves in Jamaica. He became a member of the Royal Academy in 1815, and was appointed King's Limner for Scotland and was knighted in 1823.
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