James Scouler (1741 - 1812)

James Scouler was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the second of four children (all sons) of James Scouler, Sr. and Grizel Fyfe. His father was a harpsichord maker and owned a music shop in Edinburgh. The family relocated to London in the 1750s, where James studied at the St. Martin's Lane Academy and the Duke of Richmond's Gallery. In 1755, at the young age of 15, he was awarded a premium (a cash award) for drawing by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Exhibited at the Incorporated Society of Artists (1761-1768), the Free Society of Artists (1767), and the Royal Academy of Arts (1780-1787). Executed miniature portraits in watercolor on ivory, larger portraits in pastels and pencil-drawn portraits.