John Guthrie Spence Smith was a Perth born artist with a distinctive approach to the landscapes and streetscapes of Scotland; John was born in Perth (14 February 1880) and died in Edinburgh (22 October 1951). At a young age he lost his hearing and speech, yet continued to study under Robert Burns and Charles Hodge Mackie. Most of his work was executed in Perthshire, Angus and Northern France. Elected as a full academician in 1939, John also exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Bradford Fine Art Exhibition and the Perthshire Art Association, amongst others.