ALLAN, DAvin, a celebrated historical painter, who has been called the Hogarth of Scotland, was born at Alloa on the 13th 1744, 0. S. At an early age he exhibited uncommon proofs of mechanical skill, which was first observed and encouraged by a Mr Stew art, collector of the customs at Alloa. The first rude efforts of his genius were formed merely by a knife, and displayed a degree of taste and skill far above his years. When Mr Stewart was at Glasgow, he mentioned the merits of young Allan to Mr Foulis, the celebrated printer, who kept an academy for painting and engra ving. About the beginning of 1757, Mr Foulis invited Allan to his academy, where he continued about seven years acquiring the rudiments of his art. The genius of Allan had already attracted the notice of Mrs Erskine of Mar, lady Charlotte Erskine, lord Cathcart, and Mr Abercromby of Tullibody, who generously agreed to be at the joint expense of sending him to Italy. At Rome he devoted himself to his profession with the most unremitting assiduity, studying the works of the first masters, and sketching from the exquisite remains of antiquity, which then adorned the ancient metropolis of the world. In the year 1773, Mr Allan was the suc cessful candidate for the prize medal given by the aca demy of St Luke, at Rome, for the best specimen of historical composition ; and he appears to hay e been the only Scotsman, Mr Gavin Hamilton excepted, on whom this high honour has been conferred. The sub ject chosen by Mr Allan was the Origin ol Painting : It is a composition of great merit, and seems to be one of the happiest efforts of his pencil.
After studying about 16 years in Italy, Mr Allan re turned to his native country. Ile took up his residence in Edinburgh, where he was appointed master of the academy established by the trustees for manufactures in Scotland. Here he executed the aquatinta engravings illustrative of the Gentle Shepherd ; the Scottish Wed cling ; the Cotter's Saturday Night ; the I lighland Dance ; the It( pentance Stool ; and other works, which have raised him to a high rank among the artists of this country His painting of the Prodigal Son, in the pos session of lord Cathcart, and his Hercules and Omphale, in the possession of Mr Erskine of Mar, have been regarded as works of no common merit. Mr Allan
died at Edinburgh, on the 6th August 1796, in the 53d year of his age, and was interred in the Calton burying ground, where no stone has yet been raised to record his talents and virtues.
As an artist, Mr Allan possessed excellent powers of composition ; and has exhibited in several of his works an accurate and deep acquaintance with the manners and character of his countrymen. The native and deli cate humour which characterizes some of his pictures, displays a knowledge of the human heart, and a power of expressing its hidden operations, which, if we except our celebrated countryman Mr Wilkie, have not been surpassed by any artist. The private character of Mr Allan was marked by the most engaging virtues. To the strictest honour and integrity, he united the most gentle and unaffected manners. He was sincere and warm in his attachments, and never forgot the kind ness of his benefactors. When relaxed from the la bours of his profession, he often delighted his friends with a playfulness of wit, and a conviviality of disposi tion peculiar to himself; but it was the wit that does not wound, and the conviviality that does not lead to intemperance.
Mr Allan had the happiness of enjoying, during the latter part of his life, the friendship and esteem of Mr George Thomson, who is already known to the world as the friend and correspondent of Burns, and whose kindness to Allan and his family deserves to be record ed. Mr Allan had the honour of leaving behind him a pupil, Mr H. W. Williams of Edinburgh, whose genius and classical taste, as a landscape painter, entitle him to a very high rank among British artists. (o)