Robert Russell
Geoffrey Robert Russell (1902–1984) was an English painter and journalist, best known for his oil paintings. Born in Hayes, Kent he is known principally for his landscapes, townscapes, portraits and family life and his more allegorical, colourful paintings. He was also well regarded by his peers for his BBC Radio series 'Famous Artists and the West Country'. He is represented in the Royal West of England Academy in their permanent collection with the painting 'Boy Reading' which was donated by Paul Ayshford Methuen, 4th Baron Methuen. His work was also bought by the Government Art Collection.
Early career
Robert Russell studied at St John's Wood Art School in London. He then went on to study at Westminster School of Art under the tutors Walter Bayes, Randolph Schwabe and Bernard Meninsky who influenced his allegorical style of painting. He later also studied under Walter Sickert in 1927.
Later life
Russell exhibited his art work consistently over six decades in many art academies, societies and clubs in the United Kingdom including the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Academy, The New English Art Club and the Royal West of England Academy.[1] He was associated with various art circles whose members included Eric Gill whom he painted in Tea at Pigott's.
He lived in Dorset and Devon and broadcast a prominent BBC Radio series called "Famous Artists and the West Country" from 1956 until 1965 which documented the South West of England Art Scene. His biography is listed in The Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940[2] and The Dictionary of Artists in Britain Since 1945.[3]
He painted abroad, particularly Europe and the old Soviet Union producing works that feature French and Greek architecture, such as Delphi, Paris Left Bank and Street Scene, Lamballe, Brittany [4] which was acquired by the Government Art Collection.
A record of his journalism can be found in the BBC Radio Times Archives and a record of his paintings and exhibitions can be found in the archives of The Western Morning News, The Western Daily Press, The Dorset Echo and in The Royal Academy and the New English Art Club Annual Catalogs.
He died in Swanage in 1984 and is buried there.
Family life
Robert Russell married Natalia Shestacova, a Russian immigrant whom he also painted in Woman with the Painting. He had three sons, one of which was Christopher Russell, (1931-2018) the painter and potter whose pottery[5] is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. His granddaughter is the Musician and Writer Fuschia Phlox. (Emma Jane Russell, born 1974)
References
- ↑ Russell, Robert. "Permanent Collection". The Royal West Of England Academy.
- ↑ Johnson, J; Greutzner, A (20 Dec. 2007). The Dictionary of British Artists, 1880-1940. ACC Art Books. ISBN ISBN-13: 978-0902028364 Check
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- ↑ Buckman, David (1998). The Dictionary of Artists in Britain Since 1945. Art Dictionaries Ltd. ISBN ISBN-13: 978-0953260904 Check
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- ↑ Russell, Robert. "Street Scene, Lamballe, Brittany". The Government Art Collection.
- ↑ Russell, Christopher (1955). "Vase". Victoria and Albert Museum.
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