The Painter and

Limner A limner is an illuminator of manuscripts, or more generally, a painter of ornamental decoration. A mention of medieval limners' work appears in the book ''Methods and Materials of Painting'' by Charles Lock Eastlake (1793–1865). United Ki ...

is a member of the Royal Household in

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. Appointments of Court Painters are recorded from 1581 onwards, and the post of Painter and Limner was created in 1702 for George Ogilvie. The duties included "drawing pictures of our he Monarch'sperson or of our successors or others of our royal family for the decorment of our houses and palaces". From 1723 to 1823 the office was a

sinecure A sinecure ( or ; from the Latin , 'without', and , 'care') is a position with a salary or otherwise generating income that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. The term originated in the medieval church, ...

held by members of the Abercrombie family, not necessarily connected with artistic ability. The appointment of Sir

Henry Raeburn Sir Henry Raeburn (; 4 March 1756 – 8 July 1823) was a Scottish portrait painter. He served as Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland. Biography Raeburn was born the son of a manufacturer in Stockbridge, on the Water of Leith: a f ...

in 1823, a few months before his death marked a return to conferring the post on a distinguished Scottish artist. He was succeeded by David Wilkie. From 1841 until 1932, the salary attached to the office was £100. Since 1932 the appointment has been unpaid and there has been no requirement for the holder to produce works for either the monarch or the state. Until 1864 appointments were made by commission under the Privy Seal. Since 1908 appointments have been by warrant under the royal sign manual. The post was held by Dame Elizabeth Blackadder from 2001 until her death in 2021.

Office holders

Holders of the office since 1823 are: *

: 9 May 1823 – 8 July 1823 * David Wilkie: 16 July 1823 – 1 June 1841 * William Allan: 19 July 1841 – 23 February 1850 * Sir

John Watson Gordon Sir John Watson Gordon (1788 – 1 June 1864) was a Scottish Portrait painting, portrait painter and president of the Royal Scottish Academy. Life and work Gordon was born in 1788, in Edinburgh, the eldest son of Captain Watson, R.A., a cadet ...

: 23 March 1850 – 1 June 1864 * Sir

Joseph Noel Paton Sir Joseph Noel Paton (13 December 1821 – 26 December 1901) was a Scottish artist, illustrator and sculptor. He was also a poet and had an interest in, and knowledge of, Scottish folklore and Celtic legends. Early life Paton was born in W ...

: 8 July 1864 – 26 December 1901 ''Office vacant 1901-1908'' * Robert Gibb: 25 June 1908 – 11 February 1932 * Sir

David Young Cameron Sir David Young Cameron (28 June 1865 – 16 September 1945) was a Scottish painter and, with greater success, etcher, mostly of townscapes and landscapes in both cases. He was a leading figure in the final decades of the Etching Revival. ...

: 16 June 1933 – 16 September 1945 ''Office vacant 1945-1948'' * Stanley Cursiter: 2 August 1948 – 22 April 1976 * David Donaldson: 12 October 1977 – 22 August 1996 * Dame Elizabeth Blackadder: 2001–2021Scottish artist Dame Elizabeth Blackadder dies, BBC news, 24 August 2021.
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References

Scottish royalty Lists of Scottish people Positions within the British Royal Household {{Scotland-stub