Description

1795. 3-storey, attic and basement, 3-bay terraced classical house. Broached ashlar sandstone; V-jointed rustication at principal floor. Base course; band courses between basement and principal floor, principal and 1st floor; cill course at 1st floor; mutuled cornice and blocking course at 2nd floor. Architraved windows with cornices at 1st floor, pedimented with consoles in bay at centre. Projecting cills at 2nd floor. Ashlar steps and entrance platt oversailing basement.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: pedimented Roman Doric tripartite doorpiece in bay to left at principal floor, comprising pilasters and engaged columns flanking 4-panel timber door with radial rectangular fanlight, 5-pane sidelights. Windows in remaining bays at principal floor; regular fenestration to floors above and basement. Carved stone plaque centred between principal and 1st floor, in shape of artist's palette, reading 'In this house, built by him, Sir Henry Raeburn painted from 1798 to 1809', with ornamental festoon. Tooled central wallhead tablet, reading 'Raeburn House'. Flagged basement area.

W ELEVATION: adjoining terrace, see separate listing (30 York Place).

E ELEVATION: adjoining terrace, see separate listing (34 York Place).

N (REAR) ELEVATION: not seen, 1998. 2-bay; irregular fenestration, with alterations and additions.

Predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slate M-roof. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Broached ashlar ridge stack; coped, with circular cans. Coped skews.

INTERIORS: not seen, 1998.

RAILINGS: ashlar copes surmounted by cast-iron railings with spear-headed and urn finials.

Statement of Interest

: Part of the Edinburgh New Town A Group, a significant surviving part of one of the most important and best preserved examples of urban planning in Britain. Feuing in York Place began in 1793, after Lord Alva sold land to the north east of St Andrew Square to the city.

Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823), one of Scotland's greatest painters and the portraitist who created the visual image of Scotland during the later years of the Enlightenment, moved to York Place from his studio in George Street, in 1799, and adapted the building to include a studio, as well as a reception area and gallery for visitors. He enlarged some of the openings to the rear of the building, as north-facing studio windows, as well as putting in specific shutters and chamfering the first floor window lintel to increase and control the amount of light. Some of his most memorable portraits were painted here, including 'Sir Duncan Campbell of Barcaldine', 'Francis MacNab' and 'Macdonell of Glengarry'.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17569284

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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