George Robertson (painter) facts for kids
George Robertson (born around 1748, died 1788) was an English artist. He was known for painting beautiful landscapes.
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Early Life and Art Training
George Robertson was born in London around 1748. His father was a wine merchant. George went to school in Clerkenwell, London. He later studied art at Shipley's school. George was very good at drawing horses. In 1761, he even won an award for his horse drawings from the Society of Arts. After his training, he traveled to Italy to study art in Rome.
Travel and Famous Works
A wealthy art lover named William Beckford supported George Robertson. Beckford owned a large property in Jamaica. George traveled with him to Jamaica. There, he drew many pictures of Beckford's property. When he returned to England, these drawings were made into detailed prints. Famous engravers like D. Lerpinière and T. Vivares created these prints. They were published by John Boydell, a well-known publisher.
George also showed his paintings of Jamaica and other landscapes. He exhibited them at the Incorporated Society of Artists. He was even the vice-president of this art society for several years.
Later Life and Legacy
Back in London, George Robertson worked as a drawing teacher. He taught at a ladies' boarding school in Queen Square. He later inherited some money and a house from an uncle. George Robertson died on September 26, 1788. He was about 40 years old.
What Made His Art Special
Many people admired George Robertson's landscape paintings. Art experts said his landscapes had a unique style. They sometimes looked like scenes from a play. Many of his artworks were made into prints. This helped more people see his art.
For example, he drew a series of pictures of the iron works in Coalbrookdale. These were later made into prints by artists like J. Fittler. He also drew two views of Windsor Castle. One of these showed the Royal Family on the terrace. These were also published by Boydell. George also worked with another artist, Charles Reuben Ryley. Together, they drew scenes from a famous poem called The Seasons.
George Robertson mostly used watercolors and drawings. He did not paint many pictures with oil paints. However, there is one oil painting by him. It shows St. Martin dividing his Cloak. You can see this painting in the hall of the Vintners' Company. He also created a few landscape etchings.
Where to See His Art
You can find George Robertson's artwork in these important collections:
- British Museum, London
- Yale Center for British Art, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
