Allan
Ramsay, the son of the poet Allan Ramsay, was born in Edinburgh
on 2nd October, 1713. At thirteen he entered Edinburgh High School
where he excelled at languages.
In 1729 Ramsay entered the recently established Academy of St Luke
in Edinburgh. This was followed by a period as pupil in London
to the Swedish portrait painter, Hans Hysing. In 1732 he returned
to Edinburgh where he set up as a portrait painter in Castlehill.
Ramsay made his first visit to Italy in 1736. He lived Rome where
he studied under the artist, Francesco Imperiali. This was followed
by working with Francesco Solimena in Naples.
In 1738 Ramsay left Italy and established a studio in London.
He was soon recognised as the best portrait painter in Britain. Over
the next few years he is commissioned to paint the portraits of many
important people, including his main patron, Archibald Campbell, 3rd
Duke of Argyll. Now financially secure, Ramsay purchased the Kinkell
Estate in Fife.
After working in Edinburgh in 1753 and
1754, Ramsay travelled to Italy where he stayed for three years. On
his returned journey he visited Venice, Dusseldorf and Rotterdam.
Ramsay moved to London where he purchased
a home in Soho Square. His portraits at this time included his new
patron, John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute and
the Prince of Wales (later George III).
In 1767 Ramsay was appointed as Principal Painter to the king. This
upset his main rivals, Sir Joshua Reynolds
and Thomas Gainsborough. Soon afterwards
he moved to a new studio in Harley Street. An accident in 1773, where
he badly hurt his right arm when falling from a ladder, forced him
to retire from painting.
Ramsay travelled to Italy and after touring the country for two years,
settled on the island of Ischia and was gradually able to resume painting.
In October 1777 Ramsay returned to London
and became involved in politics by writing pamphlets defending the
powers of George III and calling for
harsher punishments for those involved in the Gordon Riots. Allan
Ramsay died on 10th August 1784.
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