Robert Hills OWS (1769-1844)
Robert Hills was an etcher and watercolour artist. Perhaps undeservedly a relatively unfamiliar name today Robert Hills was an important figure at the forefront, and a leading proponent, of watercolour painting in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century. Born in Islington he had drawing lessons from John Alexander Grasse and having enrolled at the Royal Academy around 1888 began exhibiting three years later. Hills was a founding member of the 1804 established Society of Painters in Watercolours and one of members that in 1831 formed the Old Water-Colour Society (OWS), today the Royal Watercolour Society. Hills was Secretary of the OWS till his death in 1844. Hills' subjects were predominantly animals and rural life - farm labourers and their tools - drawn or painted with a close attention to detail. He supplemented his income with teaching and produced or illustrated highly regarded drawing manuals such as ‘Etchings of Animals drawn from nature.’ His works can be found in, among others, the Tate, the Welcome Collection, and the British and Fitzwilliam Museums.
Paintings for sale by Robert Hills OWS:
Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image and more information.
