The Artists’ Corner

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 121, 12 August 1927, Page 12

The Artists’ Corner

i TWO PORTRAITS BY ROBj ERT BROUGH, NOTABLE I SCOTS PAINTER, HAVE I ARRIVED IN AUCKLAND | | AND MAY BE LOANED I TO GALLERY | i I “THE LADY IN BLACK” TWO portraits, the work of that brilliant young Soot, Robert Brough, recently arrived in Auckland. They are the property of Mrs. C. H. Drysdale, of Marine Parade, Herne Bay, who has generously offered them to the Art Gallery for loan purposes so that Aucklanders interested in the work of this tragic protege of Sargeant’s may view them. T» OBERT BROUGH was a young man *-*’ of extraordinary promise. Though he died at the early age of 33 as the result of a railway accident near Cudworth Junction, between Leeds and Sheffield, in 1905, he had already achieved a reputation which has increased rather than diminished as the years have passed. Mrs. Drysdale, who knew the artist well in his young days in Aberdeen, where her father, the late Mr. James Hay, a well-known merchant of that city, gave him material assistance, has three works by Brough in her possession. GRACEFUL FIGURE IN BLACK “The Lady in Black,” a full length portrait of her mother, which was shown in the Royal Academy, is a notable piece of work. Painted from an extremely simple palette, it is both powerful and original. The very simplicity of the graceful figure draped in black, with a large feather fan In her hand, unites in breadth of treatment. Though many of Brough’s portraits are said to be remarkably alike for richness of colour, it was not the case with the “Lady in Black.” Yet the almost unrelieved black is by no means I drab. The portrait stands out well

from its frame. It at once attracts and commands.

The other portrait, also hung in the Royal Academy, is of Mrs. Drysdale as a girL ■ The crimson coat is in striking contrast to the study of her mother. It is painted with. that freshness and freedom -which also characterises the Hay family portrait group, an earlier j study by the painter which shows strong French influence. The later portraits are evidence, of course, of a more matured art. Yet while Paris developed young Brough’s art he never lost his originality. All three works are of much interest and unique inasmuch as they probably represent the only collection of Robert Brough’s portraits in New Zealand. It was in Paris, by the way, that C. F. Goldie, the Auckland painter, met Brough. There he. studied under Jullien and Constant. Brough was born at Invergordon, loss-shire, in 1872. At Aberdeen, -where he received his early education, he was apprenticed to Andrew Gibb, an engraver and lithographer, with whom Sir George Reid, president of the Royal Scottish Academy, also began his artistic career. He studied at the Aberdeen Art School, and at the termination of his apprenticeship went to Edinburgh, entering the Royal Scottish Academy life-school in 1891, where he distinguished himself by gaining the Chalmers Bursary, the Maelaine-Waters Medal, and other prizes. STUDY IN PARIS From Edinburgh he proceeded to Paris where he, by his vigorous style, soon attracted attention. Returning to Aberdeen, he set himself up as a portrait painter, and also contributed to such illustrated papers as “The Scottish Figaro,” and “Bon-Accord.” Brough’s first notable portrait was that of Mr. W. D. Ross, of Aberdeen, later editor of “Black and White” in London. It was subsequently presentc 1 to the National Gallery of Scottish Art at Edinburgh. In ’97 Brough moved to, London. His studio was in Tite Street, Chelsea. J. S. Sargeant, R.A., was attracted by the clever young Scot. Brough soon became the favourite pupil, and the protege, of the great artist, exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy, the New Gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy, and the International Society’s exhibitions. A year before his death he was elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. A brilliant career of even greater promise, however, was cut short before Brough painted his diploma portrait. He was returning from the Glen, Peebleshire, where he had painted the portraits Of the daughter-in-law and grand-son of Sir Charles Tennant (father of Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith), when he was fatally injured in a railway accident. Robert Brough courteously gave up his seat in the train to a young woman, and removed to another carriage. She escaped, uninjured, but the portrait-painter, was found dying, his right wrist almost severed. “My God, what luck!” he murmured. Brough died next day. It has been written of this painter that he promised to become one of the most notable Scottish portrait-paintc : of his day. His eye for colour, his virility in draughtsmanship, and his originality stamped Brough’s work with his own inimitable s§al. SHY AND RETIRING YOUTH He 'is described by Mrs. Drysdale as a shr and retiring youth. Like other famous men—Winston Churchill is likewise afflicted—Robert Brough was handicapped by an impediment in his speech. Nevertheless, he nad an admirable singing voice. Mrs Drysdale often played his accompaniments. A list of his portraits include: Julie Opp, the actress (1893); Master Phillip Fleming, which attracted much attention at the New Gallery in 1900-Surgeon-Colonel Gallway, C. 8.; Irs. Milne, of Kinaldie; Richard Myddleton, of Chirk Castle (1901); Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart. (1902); Marquess of Linlithgow; Dr. Alexander Ogilvie head master of Gordon’s College, now m the Aberdeen permanent collection; and the portrait group of Sir Charles Tennant’s family, hio last work. A fanciful picture, “Fantasie en 01I l, sl10 ™ Rt the Royal Academy m 1897, won the gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1900. Brough is also represented in the portmif COUISII Academ > r b T the Ross i,T he " kady in Black” and the schoolsrl Portrait, I am given to understand, were offered to the Auckland Society of Arts, for exhibition at their 4 e .? e ti t s , llow - rt is regrettable that Aucklanders were not given an opportunity of viewing them on that occaBut perhaps, after all, the Art Gallery would prove more suitable for such a purpose. —ERIC RAMSDEN.