Robert Gemmell Hutchison R.S.A., R.S.W. 1855-1936

Born in 1855 in Edinburgh, Robert Gemmell Hutchison was to become an extraordinary painter with a great capacity for perceiving the sensitivity and charm of his subjects. After leaving school he began as an apprentice to a seal engraver, which he abandoned quickly for his lifelong ambition to paint. He entered the Art School of the Board of Manufacturers and later the Royal Scottish Academy Schools. In 1878 he showed his exhibit at The Royal Scottish Academy, followed by an 1880 exhibit at The Royal Academy. He became an associate of the RSA in 1901, a member in 1911, also becoming a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

Hutchison's early work reflects that of the Dutch 19th Century masters, specifically that of Israels and Bloomers, but he betrays his Scottish upbringing with his confident handling of the paint and a keen awareness of colour. His early work most often compares to that of Scott Lauder, one of the greatest and most influential instructors of the Trustees Academy. William McTaggart, a pupil of Scott Lauder, is the primary inspiration of his later work. He ventured to McTaggart’s favourite painting spots, testing his ability to perceive the minute details of the setting. As seen in the works of McTaggart, Hutchinson’s later paintings are those of a highly sensitive and clairvoyant observer who understands the importance of depicting the subtleties of light and character to capture the true essence of a scene. His sharpness of eye and vibrant handling of the paint create pictures charming and fresh, extremely ambitious yet totally comprehensive of the subject.

During his lifetime, he enjoyed international fame through exhibitions and received two Gold Medals from the Paris Salon in 1903 and 1928, symbolising the respect for his work from continental artists. Examples of his work can be found in several public collections, including Liverpool, Oldham, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Bolton, and Toronto.