MEMBERS of the Active Retirement Club (ARC) in Westbury heard a talk on Tuesday 18th April by Felicity Herring about the Scottish artist, David Roberts, and how he came to prominence via a very unusual route.
The club reports, “David Roberts was born in October 1796, and he was brought up in very humble circumstances in Stockbridge near Edinburgh. He was apprenticed for seven years to a local housepainter and decorator and following this period his first job in 1815 was to be employed as a foreman in the re-decoration of the Scone Palace in Perth. His next job was at James Bannister’s circus where he became very proficient at painting scenery and designing sets. Roberts also painted scenery for several theatres in Scotland and also began to produce landscape oil paintings.
“In 1822 he moved to London with his wife and daughter and continued working in theatres gaining experience and also enhancing his reputation as an artist. JMW Turner convinced Roberts that he should abandon scene painting and concentrate on becoming a full-time artist. In 1838 he left for Egypt and the holy land where he produced many remarkable paintings and lithographs of famous temples, palaces and architectural monuments. The publication of his works on returning to England ensured a regular income before photographs became available of everything he had been painting on his travels in the Middle East.
“He also made two successful visits to Italy, painting numerous historical buildings including St Peter’s in Rome. In 1841 he became a full member of the Royal Academy in London. In 1864 he collapsed on a street in London and died later that day of what was believed to be a stroke. His reputation as an artist of note has continued to grow since his death and is now well established in the artistic world.”
Guests can enjoy two ARC meetings for free before deciding if they want to join. Membership costs £10 a month. If you would like to join the ARC or would like to find out more, please call Mark on 01373 823826.
