John Henry Lorimer RSA 1856-1936

John Henry Lorimer was brother to the architect Sir Robert Lorimer RSA  (1864 - 1929) and uncle of the sculptor Hew Lorimer RSA (1907 - 1993). He studied at Edinburgh University,  the RSA Life School under McTaggart and Chalmers and in Paris under Carolus Duran. Initially  painted portaits and became part of the London art world before turning increasingly to genre.

Many of his interiors are set in his family home of Kellie Castle near Pittenweem, Fife. It was Lorimer's father, Professor James Lorimer who first began the family's long association with the castle. In 1878 seeking a cure for his asthma he moved the family to Fife and entered into a 38 year lease with the the Earl of Mar and Kellie, the castle's proprietor, as an improving tenant. The family continued to refurbish, enhance and live at the castle until it was transferred to the national Trust for Scotland in 1970. The last member of the family to live there was John Henry Lorimer's nephew and fellow Royal Scottish Academician, Hew Lorimer, whose father, Sir Robert Lorimer RSA was responsible for the design of much of the interior decoration and furnishings.

John Henry Lorimer's work was received very favourably in France and he exhibted at the Salon between 1880 and 1914 and was elected to the French Institute. He was also associated with Guthrie, Lavery and the Glasgow School when exhibiting his work abroad.

Lorimer exhibited at the RSA Annual Exhibitions from 1873 until 1926. He was elected an Associate Member of the RSA in 1882 and became an Academician in 1900 but resigned in 1921. There is a reference to his resignation in RSA Council Minutes of 1921-12-06 which cites the receipt of a letter dated 1921-12-01 from Lorimer handing in his resignation due to 'the grievances of which Mr Lorimer complained, and with which all present were familiar...'