Sir David Wilkie (18 November 1785 - 1 June 1841), Scottish painter.
Born in Cults, Fifeshire. In 1799 he moved to Edinburgh, where he studied at the Trustees' Academy. Wilkie returned to Cults in 1804 and became a well-known artist, before deciding to move to London. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1806 - 1825 and became a member of the institution later. He also travelled to France in 1814 and 1821 and to Madrid in 1828. In 1817 he visited the famous writer Sir Walter Scott and produced an impressive group portrait of Scott's family.
He became very popular in his time because of his genre compositions, influenced by the Dutch tradition. Wilkie later changed his style, while trying to imitate the depth and richness of the Old Masters. A talented portraitist and etcher, he was an official painter for King William IV. In 1840 he left for a long voyage in the Holy Land, travelling to Siria, Palestine and Egypt, but died on his way home, on the boat returning him to London.