Skip to content

Slezer, John

Slezer, John
Slezer, John
Slezer, John
About the artist
Name
Slezer, John
Biography
John Slezer was born in the Rhineland area and worked in a military capacity with the House of Orange, first visiting Scotland in 1669. His proficiency as a draughtsman led to support from the Scottish nobility for his appointment as Chief Engineer in Scotland, from1671. In 1677 he was appointed lieutenant of the artillery, which gave him responsibility for supervision of the Ordnance. He therefore had to survey the defences of Scotland, employing his talents in the drawing of castles, palaces and towns. Theatrum Scotiae is believed to be his major work, encompassing drawings of the houses and monuments of the nobility. This was published in seven editions, from 1693 onwards. Scotia Illustrata was to be the sequel collection, but Slezer's expenditure on engravings was not entirely met by the sale of previously completed volumes, in spite of the importance of the work. At the end of his life debts obliged him to take refuge in Holyrood Sanctuary, where he died in 1717.

In 1939 Edinburgh City Libraries acquired a collection of pencil and wash drawings dating from 1690.
Creator of