David George Steell ARSA 12/05/1856-07/03/1930

Mr. Steell, a son of Gourlay Steell, R.S.A., and nephew of the eminent Sculptor, Sir John Steell, R.S.A., was born in Edinburgh, 12^thMay 1856, and died at Blackhall, 7^th March 1930, aged seventy-four. He studied at the Mound School, his first appearance in the Academy Exhibition was in 1873, with three works, "In Clover," "A Pet Rabbit," and "Startled"; and in 1885 he was elected Associate.

From the beginning of his career till the close of his life, Mr. Steell showed keen interest in animals, and, with very few exceptions, his pictures indicated carefully observed studies of creatures of the field, forest and mountains, especially birds and deer in their natural surroundings, rendered with a character all their own. He had many admirers, and his work obtained wide recognition.

In later years, failing eyesight deprived him of the pleasures of shooting and fishing, to which he was devoted, but he manfully continued the practice of his art till the end; "A Fox afoot in the Covert," "On the Black Devon, Saline," and "Warm Weather" representing him in the last exhibition of the Academy. 

Of a retiring nature, he mingled little latterly with his fellow Artists, but his commanding presence was seldom absent from the General Assemblies of the Academy, and his characteristic work will be missed in the exhibitions.

RSA Obituary, transcribed from the 1930 RSA Annual Report