David Scott RSA (1806-49) was elected to the Academy in 1829. He was a visionary painter who painted serious historical subjects and took inspiration from the likes of William Blake.
In 1827, Scott helped establish Edinburgh’s first Life Academy and at least two of the sketches in this album were executed there. Other sketches date to the early 1840s and are likely from the Life School established by the Royal Scottish Academy in 1836. Scott was central in the forming of this Life School, which ran in one form or another until 1928. He was one of its first, and longest serving visitors (tutors), and this album of life studies is a lasting representation of his importance in the early development of art teaching in Scotland.
Gifted by Robert Sanderson in 1907
