Archibald Robertson (May 8, 1765 – December 6, 1835) was a Scottish born painter who operated the

Columbian Academy of Painting Columbian Academy of Painting was one of the earliest art schools in the United States. It was founded by brothers Archibald and Alexander Robertson in 1792.Alexander Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

. Known for his miniature portrait paintings, he was asked to paint

George George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

and

Martha Washington Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 21, 1731 — May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington served as the inaugural ...

soon after coming to the United States from Scotland. He also made watercolor landscape paintings and engravings. His book ''Elements of the Graphic Arts'' was published in 1802.

Early life

Archibald Robertson, Eliza Abramse Robertson

Robertson was born in

Monymusk Monymusk ( gd, Monadh Musga) is a planned village in the Marr area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. History Malcolm Canmore first established Celtic foundation on the site in 1078 The Culdees of Munimusc are recorded as inhabiting the site in 1170 ...

, near AberdeenAlexander Robertson biography.
Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved August 21, 2014.Kevin J. Avery; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.) (1 January 2002)
''American Drawings and Watercolors in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.''
Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 338. . on May 8, 1765.Sidney Lee (1896)
''Dictionary of National Biography.''
pp. 401–402. His mother was Jean Ross and his father, William Robertson, was a draftsman and architect. He was the eldest of three artistic brothers, which included Alexander and Andrew.William Dunlap (1834)
''History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of Design in the United States.''
George P. Scott and Company, Printers. pp. 425–426.

Education

Robertson attended

Marischal College Marischal College ( ) is a large granite building on Broad Street in the centre of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland, and since 2011 has acted as the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council. However, the building was constructed for and is on long- ...

in Aberdeen from 1782 to 1786, where he studied art. He then studied art in Edinburgh.Archibald Robertson (1765-1835)
Art & Architecture of New Jersey. Retrieved August 21, 2014. In 1786 began his studies with

Joshua Reynolds Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter, specialising in portraits. John Russell said he was one of the major European painters of the 18th century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depend ...

and

Benjamin West Benjamin West, (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was a British-American artist who painted famous historical scenes such as '' The Death of Nelson'', ''The Death of General Wolfe'', the '' Treaty of Paris'', and '' Benjamin Franklin Drawin ...

in London. He also studied art at the

Royal Academy of Arts The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...

Career

Robertson opened an art school and studio in Aberdeen, Scotland following his training in London. Robertson was a successful painter of portraits and miniature portraits. He also engraved, including topographical engravings. Archibald and Alexander collaborated on works, like the engravings. Archibald came to the United States in 1791Kevin J. Avery; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.) (1 January 2002)
''American Drawings and Watercolors in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.''
Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 102. . at the invitation of several wealthy individuals to teach art.Alexander Robertson (1772-1841).
Art & Architecture of New Jersey. Retrieved August 21, 2014. He was asked to paint the portrait of

and

. Alexander joined his brother in the United States in the autumn of 1792. They established the

Columbian Academy of Painting Columbian Academy of Painting was one of the earliest art schools in the United States. It was founded by brothers Archibald and Alexander Robertson in 1792. on William Street. It was one of the country's first art schools. The Columbian Academy of Art was renamed the Academy of Painting, which continued to be managed by Archibald. Alexander opened his own art school in 1802. Both of the Robertson brothers were active exhibitors and involved in the management of the

American Academy of the Fine Arts The American Academy of the Fine Arts was an art institution founded in 1802 in New York City, to encourage appreciation and teaching of the classical style. It exhibited copies of classical works and encouraged artists to emulate the classical in t ...

(AAFA) in New York. Archibald joined in 1817 and was on the board of directors for 15 years. In New York, Archibald made watercolor landscape paintings of the Hudson River Valley and New York City. In 1802 he had the book, ''Elements of Drawing,'' of his systematized approach toward drawing for amateur artists. His approach was inspired by

William Sawrey Gilpin William Sawrey Gilpin (4 October 1762 – 4 April 1843) was an English artist and drawing master, and in later life a landscape designer. Biography Gilpin was born at Scaleby Castle, Cumbria on 4 October 1762, the son of the animal painter Saw ...

Personal life

Robertson met Eliza Abramse in the United States and married her in December, 1794 and made several portraits of her. He taught her to paint with watercolors and her work was exhibited at the American Academy of Fine Arts. They had a son, Anthony Lispenard Robertson, who was an attorney and became chief justice.Anthony Lispenard Robertson (1808-1868).
Museum Collections. New York Historical Society. Retrieved August 21, 2014. He was the fourth son of many children the couple had.

Death

Roberson died December 6, 1835. He is buried at

Green-Wood Cemetery Green-Wood Cemetery is a cemetery in the western portion of Brooklyn, New York City. The cemetery is located between South Slope/ Greenwood Heights, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington, and Sunset Park, and lies several bl ...

in Brooklyn, New York.

Published works

He published the following books: * ''Elements of the Graphic Arts,'' 1802 * ''On the Art of Sketching,'' about 1800, manuscript * A book on the art of miniature painting

Notes

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Archibald 1765 births 1835 deaths 18th-century Scottish painters Scottish male painters 18th-century American painters 18th-century American male artists American male painters 19th-century American painters Alumni of the University of Aberdeen People from Aberdeenshire Scottish emigrants to the United States Scottish engravers American engravers 19th-century American male artists