Alexander Nasmyth - Born 1758, Died 1840
Father of both James Hall Nasmyth and Patrick Nasmyth, Alexander was a renown portrait artist.  Among his many accomplishments include the famous portrait of the poet, Robert Burns (four versions of which are shown below).

[ Find Alexander Nasmyth in the Naesmyth Family Tree]

Click here for a narrative about Alexander Nasmyth, written by his son, James Hall Nasmyth

Some of the art of and by Alexander Nasmyth
Click on image for enlarged view

Portraits of Robert Burns By Alexander Nasmyth - 1787 The Original of this portrait is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh. Nasmyth's portraits of Burns are perhaps not the most representative of his likeness (Alexander Reid's portrait which is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery apparently was) but they are the best known. Originally commissioned by William Creech (Nasmyth waived the fee) to adorn the front of the Edinburgh edition of Burns' poems. Burns and Nasmyth became close friends, often enjoying long walks together.
Today, many thousands of Scots around the world celebrate Burns night on his birthday, 25th January. Burns night has even been commemorated in the Kremlin.
Alexander Nasmyth - Engraved after a Cameo by Samuel Joseph (From the Autobiography of James Nasmyth - see Resources page from Main Menu)
Alexander Nasmyth - Engraved after a portrait by Renegal (From the Autobiography of James Nasmyth - see Resources page from Main Menu)
Monument to Alexander Nasmyth Erected by James Hall Nasmyth at St. Cuthbert's Church-Yard, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1840 next to the burial site of James' brother, Alexander "Alick" Nasmyth, who had died in childhood (Engraving to the right, is from the Autobiography of James Nasmyth - see Resources page from Main Menu)
Culzean by the Sea by Alexander Nasmyth Culzean (pronounced Cul-lane) Castle and Country Park is above a cliff on the Ayrshire coast overlooking the estuary of the river Clyde.
Edinburgh Castle and the Nor' Loch by Alexander Nasmyth
Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli with the Temple of Vesta and Travelers Resting by a Path by Alexander Nasmyth
Twilight, Edinburgh - c1810 - pen and wash by Alexander Nasmyth
The Port of Leith by Alexander Nasmyth
Princes Street, Edinburgh - 1825 by Alexander Nasmyth