Archibald Smith was one of an extraordinary generation of entrepreneurs to come out of Glasgow in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Born at Craigend, Stirlingshire to John Smith, 2nd Laird of Craigend, he died at Jordanhill in 1821. A West India proprietor and merchant, he took an active part in the management and promotion of the charitable and other institutions of Glasgow (with Smith's Court, Brunswick Street, named after him) and was a partner at the firm of Leitch & Smith. He married Isabella, daughter of William Ewing, and was father of James Smith of Jordanhill, a well-known geologist and biblical critic. Archibald sat to Raeburn on numerous occasions, as did several members of his family, including his brother John Smith of Craigend, whose portrait is now held at the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh. The present painting is a version in a larger format of a three-quarter-length portrait of Archibald Smith by Raeburn, seated in an interior with his hands clasped on his lap, holding his spectacles, with another a near three-quarter-length replica noted by David Mackie, sold in these Rooms on 23 February 1989, lot 148 (op. cit.).