Sir Henry Raeburn

British, 1756-1823

Sir Henry Raeburn, FRSE, RA, RSA (1756–1823) was a prominent Scottish portrait painter who is now largely credited for the revival of Scottish art in the early 19th century. Born in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, he was orphaned at a young age and subsequently educated at Heriot’s Hospital. He began his career as a goldsmith's apprentice, creating portrait miniatures before transitioning to oil painting, largely self-taught. Raeburn married the wealthy Ann Edgar, which enabled him to study art in Italy, where he was advised by Sir Joshua Reynolds and others. Upon returning to Edinburgh in 1787, Raeburn quickly gained success, painting notable figures like Sir Walter Scott and Dugald Stewart. He became known for his vigorous brushwork, strong characterizations, and dramatic lighting. His direct painting style and refusal to make preparatory sketches set him apart from contemporaries, incorporating elements of Romanticism. He was knighted by King George IV in 1822 and appointed the King’s limner for Scotland. He died in 1823 at his home in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. This distinguished three-quarter length portrait depicts Elizabeth Clough (b. circa 1970-1770s), matriarch of the Clough family of Keighley, West Yorkshire. The piece was commissioned by her son, John Clough (1799–1863), a prominent engineer and industrialist in Keighley. Clough owned and operated Grove Mills, a major worsted spinning and manufacturing facility which employed a significant portion of the local workforce. Elizabeth Clough is portrayed seated in an upholstered armchair, dressed in sober but elegant attire—a dark shawl and a crisp white cap tied beneath her chin. Her direct, steady gaze and flushed cheeks convey quiet strength and maternal dignity. The subdued, neutral background serves to emphasize the face and upper body, while still maintaining an airy and light feel. The face is rendered with sensitive modeling and naturalistic lighting, while the fabric of her garments contain blockier brushstrokes yet do not lose their sensitivity. These characteristics, combined with the information gleaned from the label, place this piece in the tradition of early 19th century Scottish portraiture.

Creator: Sir Henry Raeburn

Monumental Portrait of Lt. General Hay MacDowall by Sir Henry Raeburn, 1805–1815

$46,000

Monumental Portrait of Lt. General Hay MacDowall by Sir Henry Raeburn, 1805–1815

By Sir Henry Raeburn

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An extraordinary and monumental oil on canvas portrait by renowned Scottish artist Sir Henry Raeburn (1756–1823), depicting Lieutenant General Hay MacDowall in full military regalia....

Category

Early 19th Century Scottish Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas

American Folk Art Portrait of a Lady

$1,310

H 17.75 in W 15.5 in D 2 in

American Folk Art Portrait of a Lady

Located in Kingsbridge, GB

American Folk Art Portrait of a Lady, dating from the early 19th century. The portrait is very naively painted, oil on board. Overall very good antique condition, but a little clea...

Category

1840s American Folk Art Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Pine

American Primitive Folk Art Portrait of a Gentleman

$1,310

H 15.75 in W 14.25 in D 2 in

American Primitive Folk Art Portrait of a Gentleman

Located in Kingsbridge, GB

American Folk Art Portrait of a Gentleman, dating from the early 19th century. The portrait is very naively painted, oil on board. Overall very good antique condition, but a little...

Category

1840s American Folk Art Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Pine

Monumental 7' x 8' Modern Abstract Oil Painting On Canvas by Simeon Gonzales

$4,780

H 90 in W 99 in D 1 in

Monumental 7' x 8' Modern Abstract Oil Painting On Canvas by Simeon Gonzales

By Mario Gonzales

Located in Buffalo, NY

Simeon Gonzales is a contemporary abstract artist born in Cusco, Peru in 1973. His Inka heritage is very present in his works, which are a celebration of bright and strong colors. Go...

Category

1990s Peruvian Mid-Century Modern Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Monumental Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas by Alexander Gore "Point Stroke"

$6,200

H 48 in W 60 in D 2 in

Monumental Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas by Alexander Gore "Point Stroke"

By Alexander Gore

Located in Buffalo, NY

About Alexander Gore, The artist as an observer decided after many years of visiting non-western places of culture to put his memories to use on visible surfaces for people to see...

Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Paint

An Extra Large Oil on Canvas Painting Aft. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer

$47,577

H 69.69 in W 103.55 in D 4.73 in

An Extra Large Oil on Canvas Painting Aft. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer

Located in Suffolk, GB

An extra large oil on canvas painting aft. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, RA of Return from Hawking measuring 177 x 263 x 12 cm (including frame)....

Category

19th Century English Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Paint

Monumental Haitian Jungle Scene Painting by Jean Rameau – Naïve Art

$1,100

H 46.75 in W 58 in D 0.5 in

Monumental Haitian Jungle Scene Painting by Jean Rameau – Naïve Art

Located in North Fort Myers, FL

visually arresting, monumental jungle scene by Haitian artist Jean Rameau (signed “J Rame”), known for his vibrant use of color, rhythmic brushwork, and dreamlike depictions of trop...

Category

Mid-20th Century Caribbean Folk Art Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Framed Indian Portrait of a Prince, Conservation Framed

$15,000Sale Price|40% Off

H 18.25 in W 22.5 in D 1.3 in

Framed Indian Portrait of a Prince, Conservation Framed

Located in Greenwich, CT

Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper. A young prince is seated in a palace courtyard under a canopy receiving a party of noblemen. His ministers stand behind him, wearing peaked turbans with floral patterns, their gestures conveying their welcoming demeanor towards the noblemen. The guests are wearing red and blue turbans...

Category

1830s Indian Other Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Paper

19th Century Portrait of a Gentleman

$2,800

H 29 in W 22.5 in D 2 in

19th Century Portrait of a Gentleman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th Century portrait of a gentleman in a black coat. Presented in a period frame.

Category

19th Century European Other Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Paint

Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 71

$3,400

H 61 in W 39 in D 2 in

Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 71

By Julius Yulevich Klever

Located in Buffalo, NY

KLEVER Modernist Abstract Painting - (A.A. Kaebep) (Klever) (Russian, 20th Century), dated, 1971. Signed and dated lower right corner "AA Kaebep '71". (translated form Russian) Kl...

Category

1970s Russian Post-Modern Vintage Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 75

$3,600

H 61 in W 39 in D 2 in

Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 75

By Julius Yulevich Klever

Located in Buffalo, NY

KLEVER Modernist Abstract Painting - (A.A. Kaebep) (Klever) (Russian, 20th Century), dated, 1975. Signed and dated lower right corner "AA Kaebep '75". (translated form Russian) Kl...

Category

1970s Russian Folk Art Vintage Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Monumental Modern , Surrealist Oil Painting by Barton Lidice Benes

$3,900

H 82 in W 53 in D 3 in

Monumental Modern , Surrealist Oil Painting by Barton Lidice Benes

By Barton Lidice Benes

Located in Buffalo, NY

Barton Lidice Benes (November 16, 1942 – Hackensack, New Jersey – May 30, 2012 – New York) was an artist who lived and worked in New York City. He studied at Pratt Institute, Brookly...

Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Set of Seven Monumental Hand-Painted Tools

$4,800Sale Price / set|36% Off

H 96 in W 20 in D 0.75 in

Set of Seven Monumental Hand-Painted Tools

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Unique set of seven hand-painted tools. Each one is approximately 8 feet tall. Set includes, hammer, Phillips head screw driver, three wrenches, a saw and needle nose pliers. Hand-pa...

Category

1970s American Vintage Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items

18th Century Portrait of Sir John Inglis Bart by Sir Henry Raeburn

Sold

H 34.5 in W 27.2 in D 2 in

18th Century Portrait of Sir John Inglis Bart by Sir Henry Raeburn

By Sir Henry Raeburn

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A half length portrait, the sitter a Scottish aristocrat Sir John Inglis looking rather serious dressed in a blue coat and seated in an interior with his h...

Category

Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Materials

Canvas

Portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn

Sold

H 30.25 in W 26.5 in

Portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn

By Sir Henry Raeburn

Located in Stamford, CT

An oil on canvas portrait of a lady by English artist, Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823).

Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Sir Henry Raeburn

Sir Henry Raeburn furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Sir Henry Raeburn furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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Questions About Sir Henry Raeburn

What is Henry Raeburn famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Henry Raeburn is famous for his work as a portrait artist. King George IV made the Scottish artist his official portrait painter based in Scotland. Raeburn was born 1756 and died in 1823. Find a range of Henry Raeburn art on 1stDibs.