James Nevay (ca. 1730 - after 1811)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

The Scottish painter, engraver and draughtsman James Nevay (also known as Giacomo Nevay) was born in Edinburgh c.1730 but lived in Rome from 1755 onwards. Nevay was renowned as a slow worker, and none of his historical compositions have survived. He also developed an interest in the chemistry of colour, with no practical results. More successfully, Nevay made many copies of Classical and Renaissance works while in Rome, including drawings of figures copied from Michelangelo’s Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel. These drawings were presented to the Royal Academy by the artist in 1773.

While in Rome, Nevay lodged with, amongst others, the painters Anton Raphael Mengs and Ozias Humphry. He also knew various Academicians who spent time in Rome, including James Barry, Benjamin West and Henry Fuseli. Barry thought well of him, but other expatriate British artists such as Alexander Runciman were strongly opposed to him. Nevay died in Rome after 1811.