Robert Sivell

Robert Sivell RSA (1888-1958) was a British portrait artist operational in the first half of the 20th century. Whilst also having some landscape work this lacks the quality of his portraiture.

Life

He was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1991 based on research of registries & parish records. [1]).

Although beginning evening studies at the Glasgow School of Art with Fra Newberry in 1908?, he eas working full time as an apprentice engineer, and had to abandon the art course in 1910. He lacked the means to attend school full time. In 1912 he traveled in Canada, but returned in 1914 as the country readied for war, using his engineering skills fitting out trawlers and drifters for mine sweeping and other operations. He also worked on the Boom Defense of Comarty. In 1916 he joined the Merchant Navy. When he left the Merchant Navy, he moved to Glasgow where he was able to paint evenings and weekends, sharing a studio with Archibald McGlashon.

He met Isobel Sayers in Glasgow, where she was visiting, then rented a small bungalow on the River Dee across from the small town of Kirkcudbright. In 1923 he married Isobel Sayers, who was from Kirkcudbright. They had one child, a daughter, Elspeth Dolores. The couple moved to Kirkcudbright at some point after 1924, building a house and studio at The Hollow, Stell.

Together with James Cowie and Archibald McGlashan he was a founding member of the Glasgow Society of Artists and Sculptors (1919).[2] Sivell traveled to Italy at some point during these early years, and felt this trip had a strong influence on his work.

In 1936 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy (ARSA) and in 1943 became a full member (RSA).

In the 1930s he moved to Aberdeen to teach at Grays School of Art, serving as Head of Drawing and Painting from 1942 to 1954. His pupils include Joe Edwards, Gordon Stewart Cammeron, and Alberto Morrocco (who made a large collection of Sivell’s work).

He served briefly on the War Artists Advisory Committee during WWII.

He retired in 1954 and returned to Kirkcudbright where he died in 1958. He and his wife were buried on the slope behind his home, The Hollow.

Memorials

The Aberdeen Student’s Union where his murals stand is named Sivell’s Bar in his memory. Sivell was sculpted by his friend Benno Schotz.[3]

Public Works

See [4][5] At least 120 paintings by Sivell are held in Aberdeen art Museum, a large number having been donated by Alberto Morrocco.[6]

Both his wife, Isobel Sayers Sivell, and their daughter, Elspeth Sivell, appear frequently as subject matter.

Many of his portraits are executed in oil on wood, and have a dark and foreboding tone.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.exploreart.co.uk/artist_display.asp?SF1=sort_name&ST1=SIVELLROBERT
  2. ↑ http://www.saundersfineart.co.uk/artist/22/robert-sivell?r=item/1360/mother-and-child-
  3. ↑ http://www.firstraven.com/sstowell/Family/Bob.html
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/robert-sivell/paintings/slideshow#/46
  5. ↑ http://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Robert-Sivell/9775780C77AE10FE
  6. ↑ http://www.firstraven.com/sstowell/Family/Bob.html
  7. ↑ http://www.saundersfineart.co.uk/artist/22/robert-sivell?r=item/1360/mother-and-child-

External links