Robert William Arthur Rouse RBA was a skilled British landscape painter, illustrator and etcher.

Captivated by the enchanting verdancy of the English home counties, Rouse was a man of nature. Going to it, working predominantly outdoors, and describing its ever-changing moods with a poetic spirit. He enjoyed the freedom of the open air - simply pitching an easel on a damp riverbank, studying the elements, and painting. An approach which may seem obvious today, but during the late 19th century it was deemed as ‘modern’.

In 1880, an art critic described Rouse as a member of “our modern landscape school” who “aim at the portrayal of simple transcripts of nature, judiciously selected, painted chiefly on the spot, with little regard to traditional rules of composition and chiaroscuro.” It’s tricky to decipher whether this is a compliment or otherwise. Other artists on this ‘modern’ list include Alfred de Breanski (1852-1928), David Bates (1840-1921), Joshua Anderson Hague (1850-1916) and Henry John Yeend King (1855-1924). Each of these opting to abandon stereotypical compositions in favour of painting what they saw.

Given the transient nature of light, this in itself is a challenging endeavour. How does one capture a view rapidly enough to describe it accurately, while also working to an acceptable level of fidelity? It feels as if Rouse spent his career trying to figure this out as his oeuvre is a varied one. At times, his rapid studies feel sketchy and loose, more akin to his French contemporaries, but he could also produce finer, more finessed works, as we see here in this view of the River Stour in Kent.

The reflections, shimmering ripples, sinuous trees with autumnal hues and passing clouds are all rendered deftly. There’s a sense of movement, both in the water and the sky - he’s somehow managed to convey the temperature. Given its complexity, it’s plausible that he began this outdoors before completing it in his studio. Or alternatively, he could’ve returned for several days in the hope of consistent weather.

Aside from his oils, he also produced numerous illustrations for poetry books and George Dewar’s ‘Wildlife in Hampshire’. His works were shown at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists, where he was a member, and the Paris Salon.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, Walker Art Gallery Liverpool, Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Albert Institute in Dundee, Manchester Art Gallery, Southampton Art Society.

Public Collections

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.

Timeline

1867

Born in Kennington, Surrey, to Thomas Rouse, a wardrobe dealer, and Matilda Emily Rouse (nee Winsford), a dealer in second-hand clothing.

1871

Lived in St Mary Newington, London, with his parents and siblings.

1881

Lived in St Mary Newington, London, with his parents and siblings. His brother, Thomas, was a gilder.

1883

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘Far from the Busy Hum of Man’. He exhibited 44 works between 1883 and 1898.
Debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists with ‘Landscape: Surrey’. He exhibited 62 works between 1883 and 1894.

1889

Elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists.

1890

Married Susanne Mary Sanderson in Wandsworth. 

1891

‘After the Shower’ shown at the Paris Salon as mentioned in ‘The Architect’ newspaper.
“An English landscapist, Mr. R. W. A. Rouse, should not be passed over without recognition. His interesting ‘After the Shower’ has much in it that recalls one of Mr. B. W. Leader’s pictures in the Universal Exhibition of 1889."

1896

Travelled from Southampton to New York. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist’. 

1898

Mentioned in ‘The Saturday Review’.
“Gray's ‘Elegy’ lends itself with peculiar force to the purpose of illustration. Mr. Ernest Rhys has wisely included it in his series of" Illustrated English Poems (Aldine House). The drawings are by Mr. R. W. A. Rouse, and are not only excellent in themselves, but really embody the moods of the ‘Elegy’.” 

1899

Produced illustrations for George Dewar’s ‘Wildlife in Hampshire’.

1901

Lived in Southampton, Hampshire, with his wife, two daughters and a general servant. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist Painter’.

1904

Produced illustrations for George Dewar’s ‘The Glamour of the Earth’.

1911

Lived in Lambeth, London, with his wife, two daughters and a general servant. Occupation recorded as ‘Scenic Artist’.

1920

Lived in Lambeth, London.

1939

Lived in Buckinghamshire with his wife. Occupation recorded as ‘Landscape & Animal Artist’.

1951

Died in Oxford.