Scottish Little is known about the early life of Charles Steuart, but his first recorded work was exhibited at the Free Society in London in 1762.
A Scottish painter of landscapes, Steuart was probably a pupil of James Norie at the same time as Alexander Runciman and James Cumming. Various important patrons employed Steuart including the 3rd Duke of Atholl, the Earl of Bute and the Earl of Breadalbane at Taymouth. The 3rd Duke of Atholl, whose patronage was significant to Steuart's career, selected Steuart to decorate the dining room at Blair Castle which had been completed c 1751. Steuart executed the large wall panels at Blair between 1766 and 1778.