Elected RSA: 07 October 1829
Colvin Smith was born in Brechin in 1796. He studied at the school of the Royal Academy in London and then proceeded to Italy where he continued to pursue his studies. He returned to Edinburgh in 1827 and established himself as a portrait painter.
He painted portraits of some of the most notable men of his time in Edinburgh including Lord Jeffrey, Henry Mackenzie and Sir Walter Scott. His works were noted for their individuality of character and simplicity of treatment.
