Jane Nasmyth facts for kids
Jane Nasmyth (born March 29, 1788 – died May 11, 1867) was a talented Scottish landscape painter. She was part of the famous Nasmyth School of art in Edinburgh. Jane learned to paint from her father, Alexander Nasmyth, who was also a well-known painter of portraits and landscapes.
Contents
Early Life
Growing Up in an Artistic Home
Jane Nasmyth was born in Edinburgh on March 29, 1788. Her parents were Barbara Foulis and Alexander Nasmyth. Her father, Alexander, was a painter. He married Barbara Foulis on January 3, 1786. They lived in Edinburgh.
Jane was the second oldest of eleven children. Her siblings included Patrick, Barbara, Margaret, Elizabeth, Anne, Charlotte, Alexander, George, James, and Mary.
Their home was a busy place for art and culture in Edinburgh. Alexander Nasmyth painted portraits and outdoor scenes. He was friends with the poet Robert Burns. He also started the Nasmyth school of landscape painting right in his home. Jane helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. She also gave advice to her parents about home and money matters. She even helped train other artists at the family school. Because she was so sensible, people called her “Old Solid.”
Career
Becoming a Professional Artist
Jane Nasmyth and her siblings were all taught to paint by their father. He used new ways to teach them. For example, he encouraged them to sketch landscapes outdoors. Jane worked closely with Alexander. He wanted his daughters to become professional artists.
All the Nasmyth sisters, along with their brother Patrick, showed their artwork. They painted professionally in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. When Jane first started painting, she worked with her father. He watched her work closely. Her landscape paintings were so good that they looked just like his. Sometimes, her paintings were sold as "by Miss Jane, with some of [Alexander Nasmyth’s] painting on it." This might have been to help sell them for more money.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Jane Nasmyth became known as an important landscape painter. She showed her art in many exhibitions. From 1826 to 1829, she exhibited at the British Institution. In 1837, she showed her painting Loch Katrine—from the Point of west Drumberg at the Liverpool Academy. Her sisters Anne and Charlotte, and her brother Alexander, also had art there.
She also took part in the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1843. In the 1840s, she showed a "finely-painted bit of Highland scenery" in Manchester. She also exhibited On the Derwent, Borodale, Cumberland and Distant View of Stirling from Alloa in Birmingham. Other works like View of Perth, Comrie, Perthshire, and Windsor Forest were shown in Devon and Exeter.
In 1846, she exhibited again in Birmingham. Her paintings were Lake of Windermere and On the Tweed, near Drygrange, Roxburghshire. Jane continued to show her art for many years. She exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists from 1839 to 1866. She also showed her work at the Royal Scottish Academy from 1830 to 1862. Finally, she exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute from 1862 to 1865.
Works
- Watermill (1820) — Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow
- Loch Ness — Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (High Life Highland)
- On Putney Heath
- Loch Katrine—from the Point of West Drumberg
- Lake of Windermere
- On the Derwent, Borodale, Cumberland
- Distant View of Stirling from Alloa
- Furness abbey with a Distant View of Morecombe Bay
- Extensive View of Edinburgh from Inverleith — National Galleries of Scotland
- A Highland Loch at Sunset
- A Lakeland View
- A View of Cambuskenneth Tower
- Figures in a Highland Landscape
- An Extensive View of loch Lomond, near Dumbarton, with Travellers on a Path, Mountains Beyond
- View of Perth
- Comrie, Perthshire
- Windsor Forest
