Sir John, an eminent painter, was son of Medina de l'Aurarias, a Spanish captain who settled at Brufols, where the son was born in 1660. He was instructed in painting by Du Chatel; under whose direction he made great progress; and applying himself to the study of Rubens, made that eminent master his principal model. He painted both history and portrait; and was held in extraordinary esteem by most of the princes of Germany, who distinguished his merit by several marks of honour. He married young, and came into England in 1686, where he drew portraits for several years with great reputation; as he painted those subjects with remarkable freedom of touch, a delicate management of tints, and strong resemblance of the persons. The earl of Leven encouraged him to go to Scotland, and procured him a subscription of 500l. worth of business. He went, carrying a large number of bodies and postures, to which he painted heads. He returned to England for a short time; but went back to Scotland, where he died, and was buried in the churchyard of the Grayfriars at Edinburgh in 1711, aged 52. He painted most of the Scotch nobility. Two small history pieces, and the portraits of the professors, in the Surgeons Hall at Edinburgh, were also painted by him. At Wentworth castle is a large piece containing the first duke of Argyl and his sons, the two late dukes John and Archibald, in Roman habits; the style Italian, and superior to most modern performers. The duke of Gordon presented Sir John Medina's head to the great duke of Tuscany for his collection of portraits done by the painters themselves; the duke of Gordon too was drawn by him, with his son the marquis of Huntley and his daughter Lady Jane, in one piece. Medina was knighted by the duke of Queensberry, lord high commissioner; and was the last knight made in Scotland before the union. The prints in the octavo edition of Milton were designed by him; and he composed another set for Ovid's Metamorphoses, but they were never engraved.