No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

Charles Robertson, R.W.S. (1844-1891) Lots 160-163 Robertson was born at Walton-on-Thames, but lived for a time in France sending works to be exhibited at the Royal Water-colour Society and the Royal Academy from Aix-en-Provence and also from Italy. He excelled in Oriental subjects (see Christie's, London, 19th Century European Art including Ottoman and Orientalists, 15 June 2005, for Orientalist works by Robertson from the same collection) and travelled extensively in North Africa; many of his exhibited works are set in Algeria, Morocco and Egypt. In his Orientalist paintings he dealt with both the rituals of religion and warfare and genre subjects set in cities and in the deserts of these countries. Contemporary reviews of his Orientalist works claim that 'the varied textures of costly robes, turbans, tiles, carpets &c deserve all the praise which Mr Robertson has generally won for his treatment of similar themes.' His work in watercolour represents the second branch of his art. Sadly Robertson died tragically young, aged only 47, at the height of his powers and it was only in the last ten years of his life that he turned his attention to the medium of watercolour and it was barely five years since he had been elected member of the Royal Water-colour Society. As a watercolourist he was noted for his versatility, painting landscapes, coastal scenes and figurative works: the tender interpretations of the sylvan and maritime beauties of England. The Daily News said of his exhibited watercolours 'Sea-side drawings are finely manipulated, luminous in effect and generally carefully composed with a view to picturesque completeness' and that he 'is as successful in representing English scenery as he is in depicting the men and names of an Eastern land'. Stylistically his work in watercolour shows the same meticulous attention to detail and influence of his friend Birket Foster (1825-1899) and also close study of the work of Frederick Walker (1840-1875). The present group of watercolours were in the collection of Bridget M. Robertson, the artist's granddaughter.

Charles Robertson, R.W.S. (1844-1891)

The Edge of the North Sea

Details

Charles Robertson, R.W.S. (1844-1891)
The Edge of the North Sea
signed with monogram and 'R.W.S.' (lower right) and further signed, inscribed and numbered 'No 9 'Edge of the North Sea'/Charles Robertson/R.W.S.' (on the artist's label attached to the backboard)
pencil and watercolour heightened with touches of bodycolour
12¾ x 19 3/8 in. (32.5 x 49.2 cm.)

Provenance

The late Bridget M. Robertson, the artist's granddaughter.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

More from British Art on Paper

View All