Original works of art

Sir David Wilkie was born in Cults, Fifeshire, Scotland in 1785. After studying at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh, he went to London in 1805, and entered the Royal Academy schools, where he was an immediate success. He was elected Associate of the Royal Academy in 1809 and Royal Academician in 1811.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1806 to 1842 and enjoyed great popularity as a painter of portraits as well as historical and genre scenes. Although Wilkie was influenced by the techniques of Flemish painters, his art remained strongly individual, and he had many followers and imitators. His style continued to influence genre painters up until the end of the century.

He was appointed Painter in Ordinary to King George IV, and was knighted in 1836. He died at sea in 1841 on a return trip from the Holy Land. His death was commemorated by Turner in the painting, "Peace - Burial at Sea".