A finely painted landscape of a flock of Highland sheep on a mountain by Robert Watson. Sheep and lambs are depicted resting on a grassy outcrop high above a valley below. While some of the flock recline peacefully, others gaze across the sweeping landscape. Beyond them, a dramatic mountain range stretches far into the distance enhancing the sense of scale and tranquillity.

Walter James Watson was born 21 Aug, 1877 in Seacombe, Cheshire, England the son of the artist William Watson Jnr (1847-1921) and his wife Ellenor Davies. He was part of the Watson family of artists which included his grandfather William Watson Snr 1809-1871 and his uncles Charles Watson (1837-1900) and Robert Watson (1855-1921). His siblings, Caroline Ellen Watson (1871-1947), William Robert Charles Watson (1873-1928) and Sidney Watson (1881-1931) also became artists.

Robert William Watson was born on 9 March, 1855 at 33 Marlborough Place, Brighton, Sussex the son of William John Watson (1807-1871) and Caroline Butcher. He was part of a family of highland landscape painters and his brothers Charles (1857-1923) and William Watson Jnr (1847-1921) were also artists. His father seems to have travelled around and after spending time in Brighton, the family moved to Bransford Road in Worcester during the early part of the 1860’s. Watson and his brothers were taught art by their father who influenced their style and subject matter.

In 1880, he married Alice Ascroft at Ormskirk in Lancashire and they lived in nearby Aughton where they started a family. They had 4 children and their youngest William Harold Watson (1886-1964) also became an artist. By 1891, he had relocated to the Isle of Man where he spent the rest of his life, living at Ash Cottage in Ballaugh and later Laburnum House.

Like other members of his family, Watson specialised in paintings of sheep and cattle in a Highland setting. He exhibited a number of his works in Glasgow and Liverpool. There was much demand for Watson’s work as Scottish scenes were very fashionable in the late nineteenth century, in part due to Queen Victoria’s visits to Balmoral. His works are always highly detailed and capture the raw essence and atmosphere of the Highlands. He died on 31 August, 1920 in the Ramsey Cottage Hospital, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

Examples of his works can be found at the Brighton & Hove Museum, Harris Museum, Maidstone Museum, Oldham Gallery, Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Williamson Art Gallery.

© Benton Fine Art