the collector's folio

Cosmo Alexander Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Cosmo Alexander our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Cosmo Alexander · 1724 – 1772

Cosmo Alexander, Alexander Grant (1770)

1770 · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

This 1770 portrait by Cosmo Alexander captures a gentleman in rich crimson. Shop this exquisite oil on canvas reproduction today.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #1: Alexander Grant

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

James Duff of Corsindae (1760) by Cosmo Alexander

1760 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Cosmo Alexander Admire Cosmo Alexander's masterful portrait of James Duff of Corsindae (1760), capturing the dignified gaze and attire of a Scottish gentleman at the Scottish National Gallery.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #2: James Duff of Corsindae

Art Movement: Baroque
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Samuel Griffin

1770 · National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17732 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Edward Stuart (1720–1788) by Cosmo Alexander, 1751

1751 · The Stirling Smith Art Gallery - Museum, Stirling · original 70 x 56 cm

A regal portrait of Charles Edward Stuart captures royal elegance through a red and gold military coat by Cosmo Alexander, offering a powerful glimpse into 18th-century history for your private collection.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #4: Charles Edward Stuart (1720–1788)

Art Movement: Baroque/Rococo
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26356 × 70 cm Commission at original size

The Honorable John Ross (1766) by Cosmo Alexander

1766 · Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #5: The Honorable John Ross

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The Ladies Barbara and Margaret Stuart by Cosmo Alexander, 1755

1755 · Traquair House, Innerleithen · original 87 x 110 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #6: The Ladies Barbara and Margaret Stuart

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$429110 × 87 cm Commission at original size

Lady Lucy Stuart by Cosmo Alexander

1756 · Traquair House, Innerleithen · original 74 x 61 cm

Admire "Lady Lucy Stuart" by Cosmo Alexander (1756). A captivating portrait of a noblewoman in red, showcasing Jacobite sympathies & Scottish artistry. Hand-painted reproduction available.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #7: Lady Lucy Stuart

Art Movement: Neoclassical
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28161 × 74 cm Commission at original size

Major James Dalrymple, Cosmo Alexander

1748 · John Muir House, Haddington · original 72 x 59 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #8: Major James Dalrymple

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27359 × 72 cm Commission at original size

Major James Dalrymple by Cosmo Alexander, 1748

1748 · John Muir House, Haddington

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #9: Major James Dalrymple

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Cosmo Alexander: John Carmichael, 3rd Earl of Hyndford

1750 · Government Art Collection, London · original 63 x 51 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #10: John Carmichael, 3rd Earl of Hyndford

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24351 × 63 cm Commission at original size

The Ladies Barbara and Margaret Stuart (1755) by Cosmo Alexander

1755 · Traquair House, Innerleithen · original 87 x 110 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #11: The Ladies Barbara and Margaret Stuart

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$429110 × 87 cm Commission at original size

John Drummond, 2nd Duke of Perth

Traquair House, Innerleithen

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs Thomas Hope by Cosmo Alexander, 1763

1763 · University of Nottingham, Nottingham

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #13: Mrs Thomas Hope

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Lady Lucy Stuart (1756) by Cosmo Alexander

1756 · Traquair House, Innerleithen

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #14: Lady Lucy Stuart

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal (1742) by Cosmo Alexander

1742 · University of Aberdeen, Амстердам · original 72 x 60 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #15: George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27560 × 72 cm Commission at original size

Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720–1788), 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', 'The Young Pretender' by Cosmo Alexander

1749 · Sizergh Castle, Kendal · original 29 x 25 cm

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #16: Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720–1788), 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', 'The Young Pretender'

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17730 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Patrick Home (1757)

1757 · original 69 x 52 cm

1757 Portrait of Patrick Home by Cosmo Alexander. A refined classical oil painting featuring a serious gentleman & symbolic sphere. Explore this Scottish artwork's elegance & historical significance.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #17: Patrick Home

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25452 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Reverend William Wilson of Airlie, Perth by Cosmo Alexander, 1761

1761 · original 76 x 63 cm

1761 portrait of Reverend Wilson by Cosmo Alexander. Dramatic oil painting showcasing 18th-century formality & religious symbolism. A rare glimpse into Scottish history.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #18: Reverend William Wilson of Airlie, Perth

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28963 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Mrs Thomas Hope by Cosmo Alexander

1763 · University of Nottingham, Nottingham · original 55 x 53 cm

Admire 'Mrs Thomas Hope' by Cosmo Alexander (1763), a stunning Rococo portrait of an aristocratic woman. Oil on canvas, exquisite detail & muted tones – a rare glimpse into 18th-century elegance.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #19: Mrs Thomas Hope

Art Movement: Rococo
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23453 × 55 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Woman

Hospitalfield Arts, Arbroath · original 74 x 60 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27960 × 74 cm Commission at original size

Adrian Hope of Amsterdam (1709–1781) by Cosmo Alexander, 1763

1763 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh · original 78 x 64 cm

Admire Cosmo Alexander’s 1763 portrait of Adrian Hope – a refined classical realist oil painting showcasing aristocratic status & subtle beauty in a classic oval frame.

View the most popular artwork of Cosmo Alexander ranked #21: Adrian Hope of Amsterdam (1709–1781)

Art Movement: Neoclassicism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29564 × 78 cm Commission at original size

John Drummond (1679–1757), 2nd Duke of Perth

Traquair House, Innerleithen · original 75 x 61 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28361 × 75 cm Commission at original size

John Robertson of Pitmillan and Foveran, Provost of Aberdeen

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

John Robertson of Pitmillan and Foveran, Provost of Aberdeen (1736–1737)

original 76 x 64 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29164 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Woman and Child

Hospitalfield Arts, Arbroath · original 81 x 70 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 50 artworks by Cosmo Alexander
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$31570 × 81 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Cosmo Alexander

1724 – 1772

Quick facts

Born1724, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Lifespan48 years
Creative periodsmature period
Topics exploredportraiture, 18th century
Art periodEarly Modern
Top-ranked workAlexander Grant
Movementsneoclassicism
Died1772

Biography

A Legacy of Portraiture and Pedagogy

The story of Cosmo Alexander is one of wandering brilliance and the profound influence of a master upon his pupil. Born in Scotland to the noted portrait painter John Alexander, Cosmo was destined for a life steeped in the traditions of fine art. Before his journey took him across the Atlantic, he refined his eye through extensive travels across Europe, documenting his presence in Italy between 1745 and 1751, including time in Rome. His artistic development continued in Holland, where he achieved professional recognition by joining the painters' guild at The Hague. These formative years in the great art centers of Europe provided him with a sophisticated foundation in classical techniques that would later define his work in the American colonies.

Though Alexander often referred to himself as a history painter, his enduring legacy resides in his mastery of the portrait. His style, which aligns closely with the Classical Realism later championed by John Singleton Copley, captured the essence of the Scottish community and the colonial elite with remarkable precision. As he moved through the American landscape between 1766 and 1772, his brush followed a path of significant historical importance. From the bustling streets of Philadelphia to the coastal elegance of Newport, Rhode Island, and even as far south as Charleston, South Carolina, Alexander sought to capture the likenesses of a burgeoning nation through a lens of European refinement.

The Teacher of a Master

Perhaps the most significant chapter in Alexander’s life was his role as a mentor. In Newport, Rhode Island, he encountered a young Gilbert Stuart, a meeting that would alter the course of American art history forever. Recognizing the potential in the fourteen-year-old, Alexander took Stuart on as an apprentice. This relationship was more than a mere professional arrangement; it was a passing of the torch from the Old World traditions to the New. The two traveled together through the colonies, eventually returning to Edinburgh in 1771, where the bond between master and student remained unbroken until Alexander’s sudden death.

Alexander's life was marked by both artistic triumph and personal hardship. Driven by financial debts that had forced him to leave London, he arrived in America with the hope of rebuilding his fortune through his craft. While his travels were frequent—visiting New York City, Boston, and Williamsburg—his ability to secure patrons remained a testament to his skill. In Burlington, New Jersey, he even resided within the governor's mansion, utilizing such high-profile connections to find sitters for his portraits. Though his life was cut short in Edinburgh, the impact of his work remains visible in the collections of prestigious institutions today.

Key Artistic Contributions: Known for over twenty-five identified American portraits that showcase his skill in portraiture and historical genre painting.
Notable Mentorship: Served as the primary teacher and mentor to the legendary American artist Gilbert Stuart.
Geographic Reach: His career spanned Scotland, Italy, Holland, England, and various American colonies including New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Questions & Answers

How can I see every artwork made by Cosmo Alexander?

Every work by Cosmo Alexander on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Can I explore Cosmo Alexander's works by color spectrum?

The Spectral Index of Cosmo Alexander is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

How do I find all works by Cosmo Alexander in a given medium?

Cosmo Alexander's works can be browsed by medium on the artist's All Medium page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 10, 2026

Collector's quiz

Who was the famous artist that Cosmo Alexander taught as an apprentice?
In which country did Cosmo Alexander join a painters' guild between 1763 and 1764?
Where did Cosmo Alexander live in 1769, specifically residing in the governor's mansion?
What was Cosmo Alexander's self-identified profession?
In which city did Cosmo Alexander die in 1772?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Cosmo Alexander

Every artwork by Cosmo Alexander in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Cosmo Alexander