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Bell, Robert Purves, ARSA

1841 – 1931

RSA Annual Report 1931, Obituary; "Son of a well-known engraver in steel, Robert Charles Bell, R. P. Bell was born in Edinburgh in 1842, and died at Tayport in March last after a long life of 89 years. Educated at Newington Academy, an important scholastic establishment in Mid-Victorian days, he received his training in art at the old Academy School on the Mound. Exhibiting first in the Royal Scottish Academy in 1863, his works were usually of Scottish domestic subjects, but he also painted numerous portraits, and in 1875 we find him sending his works to the Academy from Algiers. A friend of George Paul Chalmers, he painted very much in the manner of that school. His most important works were possibly the ‘‘ Highland Mother,” exhibited in 1880, and the ‘‘Chess Players,’ purchased by the Association for the Promotion of Fine Arts. His portrait of A. B. Brown, Esq., was presented to the National Portrait Gallery in 1907. In 1891 he took up residence in Hamilton, where he lived for a considerable period, later moving to Birkhill (Angus), and finally to Tayport. A regular and sometimes prolific exhibitor for many years in the Academy’s Exhibitions, his contributions fell off after his removal to Hamilton, and finally ceased in 1907. He was elected an Associate in 1880, but owing to his removal from Edinburgh was known personally to only a few of the older artists. Gifted with a fine presence, having something of the old cavalier manner and courtesy about him, and being well read with a remarkable memory and power of expression, he was ever a boon companion whose personality was much missed in Edinburgh artistic circles."



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