James Nasmyth

1808 - 1890

James Nasmyth
19th Century
19th Century

James Nasmyth

Born 1808 Died 1890

Early Life and Education Born: August 19, 1808, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Died: May 7, 1890 Parents: Alexander Nasmyth (painter) and Barbara Foulis Early exposure to mechanics through his father’s workshop. Attended the Royal High School in Edinburgh. Studied at the Edinburgh School of Arts (later Heriot-Watt University), demonstrating early mechanical aptitude. Constructed a working model of a high-pressure steam engine at age 17, showcasing his skills. Career and Inventions Apprenticed to Henry Maudslay in London, gaining experience in machine manufacturing. Establis…

works mapped
subjects
1890
active until
An Interactive Constellation

The Subject Atlas

A chart of James Nasmyth's corpus mapped not by date but by subject. Spokes are what they painted; rings are when; and the threads between stars reveal the patrons and places that secretly connect them.

Focus a Subject
Trace a Context

Spokes — Subject

Each arm of the atlas gathers works by what they depict: portraits, sacred scenes, mythologies, and the scientific studies. Click a spoke to swing that cluster to the top.

Rings — Career Period

Distance from the center marks time. The innermost ring is the earliest period; the outermost, the final years. Style matures as you move outward.

Threads — Shared Context

Coloured lines link works bound by the same patron, commission, or theme. Trace a context to watch related clusters light up across subjects.