Daniel Macnee facts for kids
Sir Daniel Macnee (born June 4, 1806, in Fintry, Scotland – died January 17, 1882, in Edinburgh) was a famous Scottish portrait painter. He was known for painting people's pictures. He even became the president of the Royal Scottish Academy, which is a big art organization in Scotland.
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Life of a Painter
Daniel Macnee was born in a place called Fintry in Stirlingshire. When he was just thirteen, he started learning art. He was an apprentice to a landscape artist named John Knox. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill or trade by working with an expert.
After that, he worked for a year as a lithographer. This means he made prints using a special stone or metal plate. He even painted designs on wooden snuff-boxes for a company.
He then went to study art in Edinburgh at the Trustees' Academy. To earn money, he drew pictures for books and publications for an engraver named William Home Lizars. An engraver makes designs by cutting into a surface.
Later, Daniel Macnee moved to Glasgow. There, he became a very popular portrait painter. People loved his paintings of them! In 1829, he became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, which was a big honor for an artist.
In 1876, a famous painter named Sir George Harvey passed away. Daniel Macnee was then chosen to be the President of the Royal Scottish Academy. He stayed in Edinburgh until he died. People liked him because he was friendly and told funny Scottish stories.
In 1877, Queen Victoria made him a knight, so he became "Sir Daniel Macnee." That same year, he also joined the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a group for important thinkers and scientists.
You can see many of Daniel Macnee's paintings in famous places. Some are in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Others are in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Sir Daniel Macnee is buried in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh. He rests there with his wife, Mary Buchanan, and their children.
His Family
Daniel Macnee was married twice. His first wife was Margaret, and they had at least seven children. She is buried in Glasgow Necropolis.
Later, he married Mary Buchanan Macnee.
One of his most famous paintings is called "Lady in Grey" (1859). It is a beautiful portrait of his daughter, Isabella Wiseman. You can see this painting at the National Gallery of Scotland.
You might know his great-grandson, the actor Patrick Macnee, who was famous for playing John Steed in the TV show The Avengers.
Some People He Painted
Sir Daniel Macnee painted many important people during his life. Here are a few examples:
- Horatio McCulloch, a fellow artist and friend
- Thomas Duncan, another artist and friend
- Peter Coats, who was famous for making thread
- John Elder, a well-known shipbuilder
- Peter Denny, another shipbuilder
- Lady Macnee (his wife) with his children
