Sarah Margaret Robertson (1891-1948) was a Canadian painter whose vibrant and expressive works continue to captivate art enthusiasts today. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sarah was the middle daughter of Jessie Anna (Christie) and John Armour Robertson. Her upbringing in Montreal, a city rich in cultural heritage, provided the foundation for her future in the arts.
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Robertson's formal art education began at the age of nineteen when she received the prestigious Wood Scholarship to study at the Art Association of Montreal. This opportunity allowed her to delve deeply into life classes and to learn under the guidance of renowned instructors like William Brymner and Maurice Cullen. Later, from 1921 to 1924, she continued her studies under Randolph Hewton, another prominent figure in Canadian art who had also been a Wood Scholarship recipient.
During her years at the Art Association, Robertson became part of the Beaver Hall Group, an informal collective of artists that included fellow painters like Mabel May, Edwin Holgate, Lilias Newton, Anne Savage, and Prudence Heward. The group was characterized by its commitment to modernist principles and its rejection of the more conservative styles that dominated the Canadian art scene at the time.
Prudence Heward, one of Robertson's closest friends, played a significant role in her life both personally and professionally. The two painters were inseparable, often working together and sharing a mutual dedication to their craft. They frequently spent summers at the Heward family's summer home near Brockville on the St. Lawrence River, where they would gather with other artists, including A.Y. Jackson, who was instrumental in linking the Beaver Hall Group with the Group of Seven.
Sarah Robertson's art was influenced by a blend of French Impressionism and Fauvism, with her landscapes showing a connection to the works of Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissarro, Clarence Gagnon, and later John Lyman. Jean-René Ostiguy, in his book Modernism in Quebec Art, 1916-1946, observed that Robertson's style became more flexible and her colors richer by the end of the 1930s. Her work "Coronation" (1937) is an example of her bold use of color, reminiscent of the Fauve canvases of Raoul Dufy.
Despite her remarkable talent, much of Robertson's work remains relatively obscure, with only a handful of her paintings known to the public. However, those who possess her works, often in private collections, treasure them for their jewel-like quality and the joyous spirit they convey. Robertson's paintings were appreciated by distinguished Canadians such as Hon. Vincent and Mrs. Massey, H.S. Southam, R.S. McLaughlin, and even A.Y. Jackson.
Throughout her career, Robertson exhibited her works in various prestigious venues, including the Royal Canadian Academy, the Group of Seven exhibitions, and internationally in England. Despite the challenges she faced, such as not always being able to afford a studio, Robertson's art never faltered in expressing a "bright, eager spirit with very definite convictions," as A.Y. Jackson once described.
Sarah Margaret Robertson passed away in Montreal in 1948 at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of vibrant, joyful landscapes that continue to be admired by those fortunate enough to encounter them. Her works, though not as widely recognized as they should be, remain a testament to her passion for art and her ability to capture the beauty of nature with a unique and lively perspective.
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