Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fraser, Alexander (1786-1865)
FRASER, ALEXANDER (1786–1865), painter and associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, was born at Edinburgh on 7 April 1786. He studied painting under John Graham at the academy of the Board of Trustees for the Improvement of Manufactures in Edinburgh, and had among his fellow-students William Allan, John Burnet, David Thomson, and David Wilkie. In 1809 he sent to the Exhibition of the Associated Artists in Edinburgh a painting of 'Playing at Draughts,' and at once became known as a painter of Scottish character and history, with a spirited and vigorous execution. In 1810 he sent from Edinburgh to the Royal Academy in London 'A Green Stall,' and in 1812 'The New Coat' and 'Preparing for the Fish Market.' From this date he was a frequent contributor to the leading exhibitions in London and Edinburgh. In 1813 he left Edinburgh to reside in London, and soon gained a good position. At this time his former fellow-pupil, Wilkie, was at the zenith of his popularity, and Fraser engaged with him to paint the details and still-life in Wilkie's pictures, which he continued to do for about twenty years. This did not, however, interfere with his own practice as a painter, though his connection with Wilkie and the similarity of their taste and subject not unnaturally led to his art being overshadowed by Wilkie's superior genius. In 1842 his 'Naaman cured of the Leprosy' obtained the premium at the British Institution for the best picture of the year. He was soon after elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, in the foundation of which he had taken a share. Fraser last exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1848, and on approaching seventy years of age he was prevented by ill-health from practising his profession. He died at Wood Green, Hornsey, on 15 Feb. 1865. Fraser's pictures, which, are very numerous, have always been popular. 'Cobbler and Bird,' dated 1826, a small panel picture, is at Woburn Abbey. 'The Interior of a Highland Cottage,' formerly in the Vernon Collection, is now in the National Gallery; it was engraved by C. Cousen for the Vernon Gallery. Others have been engraved, including 'Robinson Crusoe reading the Bible to his man Friday,' and 'Asking a Blessing,' both by C. G. Lewis; 'The First Day of Oysters,' by W. Greatbatch ; 'The Noonday Meal,' by P. Lightfoot; 'War's Alarms,' by W. H. Simmons; 'The Cobbler at Lunch,' by William Howison; 'The Moment of Victory,' by C. Rolls, &c. His works should be carefully distinguished from those of Alexander Fraser, the present Scottish academician.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Gent. Mag. 3rd ser. (1865) xviii. 652; Cunningham's Life of Sir David Wilkie; Art Journal, 1865; Catalogues of the Royal Academy, British Institution, &c.; Graves's Dict. of Artists (1760-1880); information from Mr. J. M. Gray.]