James Nasmyth
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…
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.
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.