Alexander Robertson (artist)

Alexander Robertson (1772-1841) was a Scottish-American artist. In the 1790s he founded the Columbian Academy of Painting in New York with his brother Archibald Robertson.

Robertson was born in Monymusk, near Aberdeen, Scotland in 1772. His father, William Robertson, was a draftsman and architect. Alexander was the middle of three artistic brothers; the others were Archibald and Andrew.

Robertson, who was a miniaturist, studied art in Scotland and then in London at the Royal Academy of Art. He was also taught by his brother Archibald.

Robertson painted miniature portraits and landscapes, influenced by William Sawrey Gilpin. He engraved, including topographical engravings. Archibald and Alexander collaborated on works, like the engravings.

With his brother, Archibald, Robertson came to the United States to teach art at the invitation of several wealthy individuals. Archibald arrived in 1791, and Alexander joined his brother in the autumn of 1792. In the 1790s the brothers established the Columbian Academy of Painting in New York on William Street. It was one of the country's first art schools. Their students included John Vanderlyn, Francis Alexander, and, rare for the time, a woman miniaturist named Ann Hall. Alexander taught painting and drawing. The brothers taught art to amateur and professional students with a wide variety of mediums and subjects. Their methods were based upon those taught in European and British art schools at that time.

Around 1800 Alexander drew an illustration of Mount Vernon in Virginia, home of George Washington. This work was engraved by Francis Jukes of London shortly thereafter.

Robertson opened his own art school in 1802. The Columbian Academy of Art was renamed the Academy of Painting, which continued to be managed by Archibald.

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