DOI Heft:
No. 127 (September, 1907)
DOI Artikel:Baldry, Alfred Lys: Robert W. Little, R.W.S.: a review of his work
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.28252#0189
Robert IV. Little, R.IV.S.
Robert w. little, r.w.s. a
REVIEW OF HIS WORK. BY
A. LYS BALDRY.
Some interesting evidence of the way in which
early associations help to determine the direction
of an artist’s effort in after life is to be obtained
from the record of Mr. Robert Little’s career. He
takes rank among modern painters as a particularly
sensitive exponent of the decorative side of nature
and as a close student of the subtleties of pictorial
design; and he has an exceptional power of seizing
upon just those aspects of nature which lend them-
selves best to rhythmical arrangement and carefully
balanced composition. He is, too, a colourist of
much distinction, with a true appreciation of colour
values and a love of sumptuous effects which is
kept always within correct limits by an admirably
cultivated taste. These qualities of his art are so
definite and so characteristically displayed in every-
thing he produces that clearly they come from a
very deep conviction and express an aesthetic belief
which has determined the whole direction of his
development.
It can safely be said that the foundations of this
belief were laid during the first fifteen or sixteen
years of his life, which were spent in surroundings
well calculated to foster a permanent love of nature
and an enduring preference for her stately graces
rather than for her mere prettinesses. He was born
at Greenock, on the Clyde, and the house in which
his parents lived had a particularly pleasant situa-
tion outside the town and shut in by trees through
which there was a charming vista of landscape lead-
ing away to the distant river and backed up by hills.
In this house he remained until he reached the age
of thirteen, and to this day he retains a vivid recol-
lection of the impression made upon him by the
beauty of the country round about his home.
Even at this early age he found keen pleasure in
simple contact with nature, in wandering through
green fields and shaded woods, and in lying in the
“shardeloes” (By permission of Miss McGhee) by Robert w. little
XXXII. No. 127.—September, 1907.
173
Robert w. little, r.w.s. a
REVIEW OF HIS WORK. BY
A. LYS BALDRY.
Some interesting evidence of the way in which
early associations help to determine the direction
of an artist’s effort in after life is to be obtained
from the record of Mr. Robert Little’s career. He
takes rank among modern painters as a particularly
sensitive exponent of the decorative side of nature
and as a close student of the subtleties of pictorial
design; and he has an exceptional power of seizing
upon just those aspects of nature which lend them-
selves best to rhythmical arrangement and carefully
balanced composition. He is, too, a colourist of
much distinction, with a true appreciation of colour
values and a love of sumptuous effects which is
kept always within correct limits by an admirably
cultivated taste. These qualities of his art are so
definite and so characteristically displayed in every-
thing he produces that clearly they come from a
very deep conviction and express an aesthetic belief
which has determined the whole direction of his
development.
It can safely be said that the foundations of this
belief were laid during the first fifteen or sixteen
years of his life, which were spent in surroundings
well calculated to foster a permanent love of nature
and an enduring preference for her stately graces
rather than for her mere prettinesses. He was born
at Greenock, on the Clyde, and the house in which
his parents lived had a particularly pleasant situa-
tion outside the town and shut in by trees through
which there was a charming vista of landscape lead-
ing away to the distant river and backed up by hills.
In this house he remained until he reached the age
of thirteen, and to this day he retains a vivid recol-
lection of the impression made upon him by the
beauty of the country round about his home.
Even at this early age he found keen pleasure in
simple contact with nature, in wandering through
green fields and shaded woods, and in lying in the
“shardeloes” (By permission of Miss McGhee) by Robert w. little
XXXII. No. 127.—September, 1907.
173