John Rennie, 1761 - 1821. Engineer
About this artwork
A celebrated engineer, John Rennie was born in East Lothian. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, he worked for the engineering firm of James Watt, before starting his own business. He soon gained famed as a constructor of canals, docks, harbours and bridges. Waterloo and Southwark bridges in London were designed by him. Close to Edinburgh, Musselburgh Bridge is a fine example of his skill, remarkable for the flatness of the roadway carried over a long span. Raeburn painted him twice.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Sir Henry RaeburnScottish (1756 - 1823)
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title:John Rennie, 1761 - 1821. Engineer
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date created:About 1810
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:76.20 x 63.50 cm; Framed: 102.70 x 89.50 x 11.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1957 with assistance from the Art Fund (London-Scot Bequest)
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accession number:PG 1840
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Sir Henry Raeburn
Sir Henry Raeburn
Originally apprenticed to a goldsmith, Henry Raeburn showed enormous artistic talent as a young man. In 1784 he moved to London where he met the important portrait painter Joshua Reynolds. He spent some time in Italy but returned to Edinburgh in 1787 where he began painting portraits of the rich,...
