Where Memories Meet

Description

Oil on board study of a horse by Robert L Alexander, RSA, RSW, Scottish (1840-1923).

He was born at Dolgaren, Ayrshire.

Alexander’s initial training came through his work as an apprentice to a Kilmarnock house painter who also painted landscapes. He later held a position with the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh.

At the age of 28, he began to devote himself to animal portraiture primarily of dogs and horses. Eventually, he garnered quite a following and was much in demand. He was considered by many eminent artists to be the finest painter of horses of his time.

In 1906, he travelled to Paris. Upon his return, his painting was noticeably influenced by the work of the Impressionists he encountered during his visit.

In 1888 he was elected as a member of the Royal Scottish Academy. He resigned in 1907. A year later 1889 he was also elected to the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours and exhibited frequently at both venues.

He exhibited 129 works at both these societies (125 and 4 respectively), and then twice at the Royal Academy. He also exhibited once at the Dowdeswell Galleries and the Walker Gallery Liverpool, then 10 works at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. He clearly preferred his northern roots.

His patrons were the landed gentry and included the Duke of Portland. He gained the notoriety as the finest horse painter of his time and certainly influenced G D Armour whom he took with his family to Tangier in 1887.

His work was very modern in its style, very reminiscent of the much favoured and sought after latter Scottish Colourist School. Clearly Alexander was leading the way with his loose and quick styled brushwork, and colour depth.

Today his work can be seen in the Carnegie Library in Ayr, and the Edinburgh City Arts Centre.

Alexander is profusely listed for example The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists by Mitchell, The Dictionary of Scottish Painters by Harris and Halsby, The Dictionary of Sporting Artists by Mary Whitfield and 'Dog Painting 1840 - 1940 A Social History of the Dog in Art', by William Secord.