Donaldson, John (London)

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Dates 1760-1801
Location London
Vocation Painter
Place of Birth Edinburgh
Marriage
Issue
Place of birth Source Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Exhibited works regularly in London. Won a number of prizes and had works purchased by fellow Scots. Outspoken opinions cost him a number of clients and business was affected. Wrote two books: 'Elements of Beauty: also Reflections on the Harmony of Sensibility and Reason' (1780) and 9Poems (1784). Died in poverty in Islington in 1801. Buried at St Mary's Church, Islington. Had previously lived in Leicester Fields and Westminster.

Fullest account of Donaldson's career is the ‘Memoir of the life of John Donaldson esq., miniature painter’, written (in part) by David Steuart Erskine.