David Allan (1744–1796)

• Was a Scottish painter, limner, and illustrator.
• He was born in Alloa in central Scotland.
• On leaving Foulis's Academy of painting at Glasgow (1762), after seven years' successful study, he obtained the patronage of Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart and of Erskine of Mar.
• In 1764 Erskine made it possible for Allan to travel to Rome.
• He remained in Italy until 1777, studying under Gavin Hamilton.
• In 1773, still in Rome, his Hector’s Farewell from Andromache won the Accademia di San Luca's gold medal.

• Returning from Rome in 1777, he lived for a time in London, and occupied himself with portrait-painting.

• In 1780 he moved to Edinburgh, where, on the death of Alexander Runciman in 1786, he was appointed director and master of the Academy of Arts.

• He set up at Writers Court next to the City Chambers.

• Among his students was Alexander Carse.

• He also produced illustrations for a version of James Macpherson's Ossian poems. 

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