John Graham Gilbert


(John Graham)

1794 - 1866

Portrait painter and colourist. The son of David Graham, a Glasgow merchant, John Graham Gilbert was born it the city. He began his career as an accountant before pursing his love for art. In 1818, he enrolled as a student of the Royal Academy in London, winning its gold medal for historical painting in oil. After spending time in Italy he returned to Scotland, living in George Street in Edinburgh. He was admitted to the Scottish Academy in 1829. In 1834, he married Jane Gilbert, which gave rise to the name by which he was popularly known.

Returning to the city of his birth, he became a founder and the first President of the West of Scotland Academy in 1841. In later years he worked from a studio in Yorkhill. On his death, his collection was left to the City of Glasgow.


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