Charles Lees Biography

Charles Lees RSA (1800-1880) was a Scottish portrait painter who specialised in sporting and recreational subjects.

Lees was born in 1800 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. He began his career in art training under the eminent Edinburgh portrait painter Sir Henry Raeburn. He went to Rome for six months, and on return spent the majority of his working life in Edinburgh, having his studio at 19 Scotland Street. Lees also taught drawing.

In the 1830s Charles Lees, portrait painter is listed as living at 9 Elder Street in Edinburgh's New Town.

He died in Edinburgh on 20 February 1880 and was buried with his wife Elizabeth Christie of Baberton, and their children, in Warriston Cemetery. The grave stands on the north side of the main east-west path in the upper section.

Charles Lees achieved initial renown as a portrait painter, his accomplishments leading to his election to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1830. He later served as the Academy's Treasurer.

Lees is perhaps best known for his work specialising in sporting and recreational subjects, particularly golfing and curling, to which he turned from the 1840s.