The webmaster of this site is compliling a

HENRY RAEBURN ARCHIVE,

which will aim to locate and list as many as possible of the artist's works,
please help by sending any info,
comments, contributions, etc.,
to Archive ,
or just tell us what interests you in Raeburn,
or why you are reading this page.
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( self-portrait )

Sir Henry Raeburn

(1756 - 1823)

ARTIST

The first, and most recent, Major Exhibition of RAEBURN since 1956,
opened on 1st August, 1997 in Edinburgh,
at the Royal Scottish Academy.

This website has been created to allow the work of RAEBURN to be viewed by the many people
thoughout the world, who take pleasure in viewing his work.
As many of his pieces are either on show at galleries in many countries, or are in private collections,
this site will hopefully allow as many as possible to be viewed online.
However, every endeavour should be made to view them in real life.

Son of Robert Raeburn, an Edinburgh yarn-boiler, he was educated at Heriot's Hospital (now School) and at fifteen was apprenticed to a goldsmith. His fine work attracted David Martin, a leading portrait painter, who offered to help him but, for some reason not clear, Martin left Raeburn to his own devices.

For some years Raeburn painted portraits for commission and had a wide clientele amongst whom was a wealthy young woman with whom he fell in love. In 1778 they were married and Raeburn's financial footing was assured. The Raeburns travelled to Italy in 1785, calling on Sir Joshua Reynolds, the eminent artist, on their way south. Reynolds was doubly generous, giving the young Scot letters of introduction and sums of money.

After two years of study in Italy Raeburn and his wife returned to Edinburgh where he set up his studio in George Street from which he sent forth portraits that assured him of the foremost place in Scottish art. His life henceforth was an unbroken success apart from a small financial embarrassment in 1809. He painted everyone of importance. In fact his portraits tell the story of Scotland in Napoleonic times.

Although he was frequently advised and often begged to go to London he remained in Edinburgh. Nevertheless he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1812 and a full Academician in 1815, honours he did not solicit. The Academy of Florence and two American Academies also elected him a full member.

In 1822, on the visit of George IV, he was knighted at Hopetoun House and appointed King's Limner for Scotland. His cup was running over, but he died before he could enjoy it, in October, 1823.

He was a man of many interests, mechanical science, architecture legal business, angling, archery, gardening and golf, but of course painting was his passion. Sometimes he had four sittings in a day. He readily helped young artists with advice and money.

His best-known portraits are of Dr Hutton, the geologist; Professor Black; Mrs Ferguson and her children; Neil Gow; Sir John and Lady Clerk of Penicuik; Sir John Sinclair; Admiral Duncan; MacDonald of Clanranald and Mrs James Campbell, and of course, probably his best know work, the Rev. Robert Walker, skating on Duddingston Loch.