Andrew Robertson (miniaturist)

Andrew Robertson was born in Aberdeen in 1777. He was the brother of Alexander and Archibald Robertson, who were also painters.[1]

Robertson's self-portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, London.[2]

Robertson created a new style of miniature portrait that became dominant by the middle of the nineteenth century; at least four examples are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum.[3] He broke with previous styles, particularly the work of Richard Cosway, and was critical of these earlier painters, describing their works as 'pretty things but not pictures'.[3] Robertson's style included larger and more detail paintings, usually rectangular, and with a use of paint trying to emulate large oils on canvas, adding more gum to the paint to give it a greater lustre and depth of colour.[4]