John Thomas Seton

John Thomas Seton (Seaton) (c.1730–1806) was a British portrait painter renowned for his work in both Great Britain and India. Born to Christopher Seton, the Royal Gem and Seal Engraver to George, Prince of Wales, Seton trained at the St. Martin's Lane Academy under Francis Hayman and was part of the vibrant artist community in 18th-century London. He later traveled to Italy, where he studied and painted in Rome during the late 1750s.

Seton gained prominence as a portraitist, capturing high society in Scotland, England, and India. His career flourished in Edinburgh during the 1770s, where he painted notable figures and exhibited at the Society of Artists and the Royal Academy. In 1776, Seton moved to Calcutta, where he became a favored portraitist of the British East India Company elite, receiving commissions from figures like Warren Hastings and Sir Eyre Coote.

Seton returned to Edinburgh in 1785 as a wealthy man, continuing his portrait practice until his death in 1806. His works are still recognized for their historical significance, with his portraits appearing at major auctions and in prominent collections, including the National Museum of Scotland.