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Brough, Robert [John], ARSA

1872 – 1905

RSA Annual Report 1905, notice VIII; (Obituary) "Robert Brough ARSA, was born at Invergordon in 1872. He was early taken to Aberdeen where he received his education and for a short time worked as an engraver under Mr Andrew Gibb. After studying in the Aberdeen Art School he came to Edinburgh in 1891 and was admitted as a student of the Life School of the Royal Scottish Academy. In 1892 he gained the Chalmers Bursary prize and the Maclaine Watters Medal. In the following year he carried off an extra prize for painting. He thereafter proceeded to Paris and studied under Constant. On his return to Aberdeen in 1894, he began the practise of Portrait painting, which he continued in London, where much of his work was done and where he met with marked success and recognition. Among his principal works are: - "After the Storm", "John Duthie Esq"(1897), "Fantasie en Folie"(1898), "Edine, daughter of O H Edinger Esq", "Surgeon-Colonel F J Galloway CB", "Viscountess Encombe"(1901), "The Rt Hon Lord Justice C Vaughan Williams"(1902), "Mrs Milne of Kinaldie", "Lord Torphichen", "Mrs G A Paley of Ampton Hall", and "The Marquis of Linlithgow"(1905). He was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1904. he died on 22nd January [1905]." "SIX KILLED; MANY INJURED.; A disastrous railway accident occurred this morning - at Cudworth, on the Midland line, near Barnsley. The trains colliding - were the Scotch express due at St. Pancras at 7.10 this morning - , and the London mail train. The accident occurred at place known as Storr’s Mill, Darfield. The disaster was complicated by a luggage train running into the wreckage, and it is gathered from the fact that several passengers were burnt that some of the wreckage took fire. The number of casualties is believed to exceed thirty. It is known that six were killed and twenty injured. The injured were taken to Sheffield Royal Infirmary. The work of those engaged in clearing away the debris was retarded by the wreckage taking fire. It is feared (says the Central News) that the loss of life will reach a total of ten. Among the injured are : Mr. Robert Brough, artist, 33, Tite-street, London. He is very seriously burnt and badly hurt in the back." (St James's Gazette - Thursday 19 January 1905, p.10) The accident was reported at length in the Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 19 January 1905, p.2, which stated that the bodies were removed from the wreckage and carried down the grass embankment where they were lain next to fires to try to keep them warm until they could be safely transferred to Sheffield Royal Infirmary. The weather was foggy and there was a hard frost. The accident occurred about 3.30am and medical assistance from the neighbourhood was immediately summoned. A detailed account appeared also in the Dundee Courier - Friday 20 January 1905 (p.5), which identifies Brough's rescuer as Driver Wright of 105th Battery, Royal Field Artillery and gives Brough's additional injuries of burnt hands and serious internal injuries. A total of 6 were killed in or immediately following the crash, Brough became the 7th victim three days later. “OUR LONDON LETTER. (BY "JOURNAL " SPECIAL WIRE.) Thursday night. London grieves with the north of Scotland over the serious accident that has befallen Mr Robert Brough, one of the foremost British portrait-painters. Accounts of the railway accident leave little doubt that this Scottish artist has suffered grievous hurt. From the details, one can imagine his awful position—the crash, the outbreak fire, and Driver Wright's assistance, that reached him none too soon as lay pinned down by timbers. “The artist fellow I pulled out," said Driver Wright when he arrived in London, "was so badly burned that the bone of his arm was showing." But the soldier was modest concerning his gallant work, and seemed desirous only of an opportunity to shoulder his kit and leave his questioners. Before he escaped, he was prevailed upon to tell more regarding Mr Brough's condition. In addition to the injuries to the arm, Driver Wright said the skin of the artist's face and neck was burned away. Mr Brough's brilliant career has, at an early age, carried him into the rank of the most distinguished of younger artists. Yet he is as unspoilt as when he left Invergordon for a seat at a lithographer's desk at Aberdeen, and his work attracted the attention of Sir George Reid the late President of the Royal Scottish Academy, who has, of course, many ties that bind him to the Granite City. Brough's London studio is pleasantly situated at the top of a big block of buildings close to the Chelsea Embankment. On the last "Show Sunday," it was one of the pleasantest places a northern Scot in the Metropolis could have wished to visit. At one end of the room was Mr Brough’s great portrait of the Marquis of Linlithgow, presented to his lordship on his return from the post of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Around were scattered other of Mr Brough's works —some intended for the Royal Academy and others for the New Gallery—and throughout the afternoon many distinguished people belonging to the north of Scotland who happened to be in town called. In the exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters, and Graveurs, that opened a short time ago, Mr Brough has on view a striking picture of a Spanish lady. From inquiries made at Mr Brough’s residence late to-night, I learn that a telegram has been received stating that his injuries are not expected to prove fatal, though they are very severe.” Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 20 January 1905 (p.5) Brough died in hospital the next day. His body was returned to Aberdeen where he was interred at St Nicholas' Kirkyard. See account of his death and funeral from The Scotsman of 23 and 27 January 1905 respectively in RSA Newspaper Cuttings Scrap Book 1903-1919

Works in which this creator appears



An image from the RSA collection.