Patrick Nasmyth

1787 - 1831

Artist. Born in Edinburgh, the eldest son of Alexander Nasmyth (1758 - 1840). Nasmyth studied with his father but it is said that it was with this son that the artistic skill of the family was most powerfully developed. He became deaf at seventeen and left for London in 1807. His style changed from Italianate landscapes he had painted with his father to those in the manner of the Dutch School, combining the observation of nature, weather and rustic buildings along the River Thames. He has been compared with the Dutch artist Meindert Hobbema (1638 - 1709), whom he admired.

Nasmyth never achieved the success of his father; although an excellent artist, his work lacked the novelty which would have brought greater commercial success and he was a poor businessman, cheated by his dealers.

He died in Lambeth.

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