Raeburn, Henry (1756–1823)

Scottish painter. One of the leading portrait painters of the 18th century, his technique of painting with broad brushstrokes directly on the canvas, without preparatory drawing, gave his works an air of freshness and spontaneity. The Reverend Robert Walker Skating (about 1784; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh) is typical. He was knighted in 1822.

Raeburn was active mainly in Edinburgh, his subjects being the notable figures of literature and law in the great period of Edinburgh's intellectual eminence, and the chieftains of the Highland clans. He excelled in male rather than female portraits, his style being well adapted to convey their rugged dignity. He made the most of a limited range in composition and colour, and his full-lengths have dramatic force, as in the Macdonell of Glengarry (National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh). He was appointed painter to George IV in 1823.

Largely self-taught, he began by painting miniatures, married a widow of some fortune, and went to London in about 1778. On the advice of Joshua Reynolds, he went to Italy in 1785, returning to Edinburgh in 1787 to become its foremost portrait painter.

He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy in London from 1792 to 1823, and, as well as being President of the Royal Scottish Academy (1812), was RA in 1815. He was also appointed His Majesty's Limner for Scotland.