September 1940: Death of Mr Robert Houston, R.S.W. – Well-Known Scots Artist

An obituary on page seven of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 30th of September, 1940, reads:

 

“WELL-KNOWN SCOTS ARTIST

 

MR ROBERT HOUSTON, R.S.W.

 

The death occurred on Saturday at Glenlogan, Kilbirnie, of Mr Robert Houston, R.S.W., a

Scottish artist, at the age of 49 years. He was a landscape and figure painter in oil and

water-colour and an etcher.

 

A native of Kilbirnie, Mr Houston received his early education at Spier’s School and later

attended the Glasgow School of Art, where he secured the school diploma. His work was

accepted for R.A., R.S.A., R.S.W., and G.I. exhibitions and pictures of his were also hung

in the Paris Salon.

 

Mr Houston made a reputation for himself in mezzo-tint work. Two of his most successful

plates in that line were ‘The Spangled Cock’ and ‘The Huntsman’ by Joseph Crawhall.

 

Later he went in solidly for painting in oils and will chiefly be remembered for his fine

colourful work of West Coast scenes – fine panoramic views of the Clyde, Arran, and the

Cumbraes. His work was exceedingly popular in character and was frequently reproduced

on calendars. A recent series was six or seven paintings illustrating the Road to the Isles.

 

His published works included etchings in drypoint and colour aquatint and colour collotype

reproductions.

 

Mr Houston was a regular exhibitor at the exhibition of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the

Fine Arts, and was a member of Glasgow Art Club. He has two works in this year’s exhibition.”

 

 

The notice of his death is on the front page of the Herald, on Monday the 30th of September.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, April 2023.