Andrew Robertson (miniaturist)

Andrew Robertson (1777–1845) was a Scottish miniaturist painter.

Miniature self-portrait on ivory, 1811

Biography

Andrew Robertson was born in Aberdeen in 1777. He was the brother of Alexander and Archibald Robertson, who were also painters.[1]

Works

Robertson's self-portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, London.[2]

Robertson created a new style of miniature portrait that became dominant by the middle of the nineteenth century; at least four examples are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum.[3] He broke with previous styles, particularly the work of Richard Cosway, and was critical of these earlier painters, describing their works as 'pretty things but not pictures'.[3] Robertson's style included larger and more detail paintings, usually rectangular, and with a use of paint trying to emulate large oils on canvas, adding more gum to the paint to give it a greater lustre and depth of colour.[4]

References

1.  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Robertson, Andrew (DNB00)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
2. "Andrew Robertson, 1777 - 1845. Miniature painter (Self-portrait)". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
3. "A History of the Portrait Miniature". Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
4. Andrew Robertson (1810). "Portrait of Joseph Gwilt". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 26 January 2017.