Freebairn was born in 1765, apparently of Scottish descent, and is usually stated to have been the last pupil of Richard Wilson, R.A.
His stay in Italy formed his style, and he brought back to England a storehouse of material, on which he drew plentifully during the remainder of his life, his productions being mainly representations of Italian scenery.
His compositions were noted for their elegance rather than for grandeur, and were pleasing enough to enable him to secure sufficient patronage and commissions for his pictures, most of which he exhibited at the Royal Academy.
He occasionally painted views of Welsh and Lancashire scenery, but his chief excellence lay in his Roman subjects.
[1] Freebairn died in Buckingham Place, New Road, Marylebone, aged 42, leaving a widow and four children.