Painter and Limner
Encyclopedia
The Painter and Limner is a member of the Royal Household
in Scotland
. Appointments of Court Painters are recorded from 1581 onwards, and the post of Painter and Limner was created in 1702 for George Ogilvie. The duties included "drawing pictures of our [the Monarch's] person or of our successors or others of our royal family for the decorment of our houses and palaces". From 1723 to 1823 the office was a sinecure
held by members of the Abercrombie family, not necessarily connected with artistic ability. The appointment of Sir Henry Raeburn
in 1823, a few months before his death marked a return to conferring the post on a distinguished Scottish artist. He was succeeded by David Wilkie
.
From 1841 until 1932, the salary attached to the office was £100. Since 1932 the appointment has been unpaid and there has been no requirement for the holder to produce works for either the monarch or the state. Until 1864 appointments were made by commission under the Privy Seal. Since 1908 appointments have been by warrant under the royal sign manual.
The post has been held since 2001 by Elizabeth Blackadder
.
Office vacant 1901-1908
Office vacant 1945 -1948
Great Officer of State
In the United Kingdom, the Great Officers of State are traditional Crown ministers, who either inherit their positions or are appointed to exercise certain largely ceremonial functions. Separate Great Officers exist for England and Scotland, and formerly for Ireland...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Appointments of Court Painters are recorded from 1581 onwards, and the post of Painter and Limner was created in 1702 for George Ogilvie. The duties included "drawing pictures of our [the Monarch's] person or of our successors or others of our royal family for the decorment of our houses and palaces". From 1723 to 1823 the office was a sinecure
Sinecure
A sinecure means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service...
held by members of the Abercrombie family, not necessarily connected with artistic ability. The appointment of Sir Henry Raeburn
Henry Raeburn
Sir Henry Raeburn was a Scottish portrait painter, the first significant Scottish portraitist since the Act of Union 1707 to remain based in Scotland.-Biography:...
in 1823, a few months before his death marked a return to conferring the post on a distinguished Scottish artist. He was succeeded by David Wilkie
David Wilkie (artist)
Sir David Wilkie was a Scottish painter.- Early life :Wilkie was the son of the parish minister of Cults in Fife. He developed a love for art at an early age. In 1799, after he had attended school at Pitlessie, Kettle and Cupar, his father reluctantly agreed to his becoming a painter...
.
From 1841 until 1932, the salary attached to the office was £100. Since 1932 the appointment has been unpaid and there has been no requirement for the holder to produce works for either the monarch or the state. Until 1864 appointments were made by commission under the Privy Seal. Since 1908 appointments have been by warrant under the royal sign manual.
The post has been held since 2001 by Elizabeth Blackadder
Elizabeth Blackadder
Dame Elizabeth Violet Blackadder, DBE, RA, RSA is a Scottish painter and printmaker. She is the first woman to be elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy....
.
Office Holders
Holders of the office since 1823 are:- Henry RaeburnHenry RaeburnSir Henry Raeburn was a Scottish portrait painter, the first significant Scottish portraitist since the Act of Union 1707 to remain based in Scotland.-Biography:...
: 9 May 1823 - 8 July 1823 - David WilkieDavid Wilkie (artist)Sir David Wilkie was a Scottish painter.- Early life :Wilkie was the son of the parish minister of Cults in Fife. He developed a love for art at an early age. In 1799, after he had attended school at Pitlessie, Kettle and Cupar, his father reluctantly agreed to his becoming a painter...
: 16 July 1823 - 1 June 1841 - William Allan: 19 July 1841 - 23 February 1850
- Sir John Watson GordonJohn Watson GordonSir John Watson Gordon was a Scottish portrait painter and a president of the Royal Scottish Academy.-Life and work:He was born John Watson in Edinburgh, the eldest son of Captain Watson, R.N., a cadet of the family of Watson of Overmains, in the county of Berwick. He was educated specially with a...
: 23 March 1850 - 1 June 1864 - Sir Joseph Noel PatonJoseph Noel PatonSir Joseph Noel Paton FRSA, LL. D. was a Scottish artist, born in Wooer's Alley, Dunfermline, Fife.Born to a family of weavers who worked with damask, Joseph continued the family trade for a short time...
: 8 July 1864 - 26 December 1901
Office vacant 1901-1908
- Robert GibbRobert GibbRobert Gibb RSA was a Scottish painter who was Keeper of the National Gallery of Scotland from 1895 to 1907 and was Painter and Limner to the King from 1908 until his death...
: 25 June 1908 - 11 February 1932 - Sir David Young CameronDavid Young CameronSir David Young Cameron was a Scottish painter and etcher.-Biography:Cameron was the son of the Rev. Robert Cameron and was born in Glasgow, Scotland. From around 1881 he studied at the Glasgow School of Art and in 1885 enrolled at the Edinburgh Schools of Art...
: 16 June 1933 - 16 September 1945
Office vacant 1945 -1948
- Stanley CursiterStanley CursiterStanley Cursiter, CBE was a Scottish artist who played an important role in introducing Post-Impressionism and Futurism to Scotland.- Biography :...
: 2 August 1948 - 22 April 1976 - David DonaldsonDavid DonaldsonDavid Donaldson was Painter and Limner to Her Majesty the Queen in Scotland.Born David Abercrombie Donaldson at Chryston, Lanarkshire in 1916. He studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1932–37 and won the Director’s Prize in 1936...
: 12 October 1977 - 22 August 1996 - Dame Elizabeth BlackadderElizabeth BlackadderDame Elizabeth Violet Blackadder, DBE, RA, RSA is a Scottish painter and printmaker. She is the first woman to be elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy....
: 2001-