Stewart, James Struthers, RSA
1791 – 1863
Stewart was born in Edinburgh about the end of October or beginning of November 1791 , and in 1801 entered as an apprentice with Mr Robert Scott, then the first landscape engraver in Scotland, and the father of the late David Scott R.S.A.. He learned to draw at the Trustees' Academy, under John Graham, where Wilkie and Burnet had also been pupils. After the expiration of his apprenticeship the first work of any consequence which he produced was from Allan's painting of "Tartar Robbers, Dividing the Spoil." The engraving of this was considered so excellent as to lead to his being engaged upon the more important picture of "The Circassian Captives," also by Allan. In this his refined and vigorous style had free scope, affording him the opportunity of showing, his power as an accomplished line engraver. Subsequently having not secured any major commissions, he was induced to accept a situation in a private establishment in Edinburgh for instructing young ladies in drawing and painting. This appointment he relinquished, having been engaged by Sir David Wilkie to engrave several of his paintings; two small companion subjects from the "Gentle Shepherd," one of which, that of "Roger piping to Jenny on an evening all aglow," is considered by many as being one of the most delicious engravings of the British school. Then came his great and truly excellent work: "The Penny Wedding," in which has been translated with extraordinary taste and powers, all Wilkie's wide range of character. Having finished this large plate, he removed with his family to London in 1830, whence he emigrated to the Cape of Good Hope c.1833 where he purchased a Dutch farm but kept up his portrait painting and teaching of art. He died at the Cape of Good Hope in 1863.
