Catherine Read, also known as Katharine Read, was a notable Scottish portrait painter who achieved significant recognition in the 18th century. Born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1723, she was the daughter of a successful merchant. Read's artistic talent became evident early in her life, and she left Scotland to further her art education. She studied under several masters in London and then continued her studies in Paris. It was in France where she was influenced by the Rococo style, which was popular during that period.
Catherine Read's career flourished when she returned to Britain. She quickly became known for her portrait work, particularly for her depictions of women and children, which were praised for their sensitivity and charm. Her style was characterized by soft colors and graceful brushwork, which made her portraits highly sought after by the aristocracy and the well-to-do. Read was one of the few female artists of her time to achieve such a high level of success and was even commissioned to paint portraits of members of the royal family, including Queen Charlotte.
In 1761, Read moved to London, where she became one of the first women to be elected as an associate member of the Society of Artists in Britain. Despite the limitations imposed on female artists during the 18th century, Read managed to maintain a successful career and was a contemporary of other leading portraitists such as Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough.
Throughout her career, Catherine Read also spent time in Italy and Ireland, contributing to the artistic scenes there. Unfortunately, her health began to decline, and she eventually returned to Edinburgh, Scotland, where she passed away in 1778. Her work, though less well-known today, was an important part of the 18th-century British art scene and contributed to the recognition of female artists during a time when the field was overwhelmingly dominated by men.
