Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Stewart, Anthony
STEWART, ANTHONY (1773–1846), miniature-painter, was born at Crieff, Perthshire, in 1773. He received a good education, and while a youth was introduced to the family of General Campbell of Monzie, whose daughters he assisted in painting medallions for the decoration of a summer-house. These ladies were so much pleased with his ability that they proposed to article him at their own expense to Alexander Nasmyth [q. v.] of Edinburgh, the landscape-painter. The offer was accepted, and he made many sketches of Scottish scenery, which display more of the feeling of Richard Wilson and John Cozens than of his master. But before long he gave up this branch of art, and devoted himself to miniature-painting. He practised for a time in Edinburgh, but afterwards removed to London, where he met with considerable success. He was introduced to the royal family, and painted the Princess Charlotte. Subsequently he executed the earliest miniatures of Queen Victoria, who sat to him when a year old, and afterwards for several years in succession. One of these portraits was engraved by Thomas Woolnoth. Between 1807 and 1820 he exhibited a few miniatures at the Royal Academy. He excelled in painting children, and for the last fifteen years of his life he devoted himself almost exclusively to them.
Stewart died at Stockwell, near London, in December 1846, and was buried in Norwood cemetery.
His daughters, Margaret and Grace Campbell, were instructed by him in miniature-painting. Margaret, the elder, married John Seguier, superintendent of the British Institution [see under Seguier, William]. Grace Campbell, the younger, practised miniature-painting, and exhibited a few of her works at the Royal Academy between 1843 and 1856. She died in 1863.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists of the English School, 1878; Royal Academy Exhibition Catalogues, 1807–56; information from Stewart's grandson, F. P. Seguier, esq.]