John Kay
(1742-1826), Miniature painter and caricaturistSitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 288 portraits
The son of a mason, Kay was apprenticed at the age of thirteen to George Heriot, a barber in Dalkeith. Six years later, he moved to Edinburgh where he continued to work as a barber. In his spare time, he began to produce highly original portrait sketches and caricatures of Edinburgh characters, despite having received no formal training. Kay attracted the patronage of William Nisbet of Dirleton, who settled an annuity upon him, and in 1785 he was finally able to give up his trade for art. From 1784 to 1822, he etched nearly nine hundred plates portraying many notable Scotsmen of the day. Many of his satirical prints were bought by his subjects themselves with the express purpose of destroying them.
by John Kay, probably after de Vos
etching, circa 1780s-1810s
NPG D42334
An Exchange of Heads (Hugo Arnot; Roger Hog; William Macpherson)
by John Kay
etching and aquatint, 1780s
NPG D16864
William Doyle; Samuel Sone; William Foster; with three celebrated beauties
by John Kay
etching and aquatint, 1784
NPG D32327
John Wemyss; Robert Clerk; George Pratt
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D32459
Henry Home, Lord Kames; Hugo Arnot; James Burnett, Lord Monboddo
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D32361
James Robertson of Kincraigie; John Dhu (Dow, MacDonald); Jamie Duff
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D32342
Sir James Livingstone Campbell, Bt, of Ardkinglass
by John Kay
etching, circa 1784-1788
NPG D32345
Sir James Livingstone Campbell, Bt, of Ardkinglass
by John Kay
etching, circa 1784-1788
NPG D32346
by John Kay
etching and aquatint, circa 1784-1795
NPG D32347
James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose; David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D43277
George Fairholme; John McGowan; Charles Byrne; Alexander Watson; Geordie Cranstoun
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D46115
William Richardson; Andrew Bell; Mr Knipe; Lord Monboddo; Charles Byrne; Mr Knipe; Baillie Kyd
by John Kay
etching and aquatint, 1784
NPG D14755
George Fairholme; John McGowan; Charles Byrne; Alexander Watson; Geordie Cranstoun
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D18639
Henry Home, Lord Kames; Hugo Arnot; James Burnett, Lord Monboddo
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D18640
Contemplation (James Burnett, Lord Monboddo)
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D16263
Contemplation (James Burnett, Lord Monboddo)
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D16264
Hon. Basil Cochrane; James Edgar; a beggar
by John Kay
etching, 1784
NPG D16273
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