Lady Honyman was born Mary MacQueen, the daughter of the notorious judge, Lord Braxfield. She married Sir William Honyman, a judge who later became Lord Armadale, in 1777. Here she is depicted by the artist Alexander Nasmyth with her children in this conversation piece. Nasmyth had established himself as the leading landscape painter in Edinburgh by the time this portrait was painted.
Alexander Nasmyth (Scottish, 1758 - 1840)
Nasmyth's impressive landscapes are his most significant contribution to painting in Scotland. One of his most famous works, however, is the portrait of his friend, the poet Robert Burns. Nasmyth, a pupil of Runciman, was assistant to Allan Ramsay and developed a sound appreciation of the importance of drawing to educate the artist's eye and hand. His interest in landscape painting stimulated his involvement with landscaping projects, including the layout of the grounds of Inveraray Castle. He was also an accomplished engineer, designing and building several bridges, and an influential teacher, inspiring many younger artists including his own children.
