Robert Herdman RSA 1829 -1888

In 1828, Robert Herdman—the fourth and youngest son of the Rev. William Herdman—was born at the Manse of Rattray, Perthshire. His veil was a daughter of the Rey. Andrew Walker, minister of Collessie, in Fife: Even in his early days he manifested a decided taste and ability for drawing, copying prints, sketching faces, heads, and animals, on slate and book board.

On the death of his father in 1838 the family removed to St. Andrews, and

there, in Madras College, he pursued the usual course of studies, including drawing and painting. At the age of fifteen he entered the University of St. Andrews, and passed through the full Arts curriculum, standing well to the front at once in Classics, Philosophy, and the Sciences.

Undecided for some time as to what his future occupation should be, although his inclination all the while was to be a painter, he went to the College again in 1846 for another Session, after having begun to teach drawing to a few private pupils. The following year saw him in Edinburgh, he having ultimately determined on adopting Art as a profession, and in 1850 he exhibited for the first time in the Exhibition of the Academy.

In 1852 he became a pupil of the Board of Trustees’. School, then under the charge of Robert Scott Lauder, R.S.A. There he studied with diligence and success, and in 1854 gained, for the best historical work by a student in the exhibition, the Academy’s Keith Prize and Bronze Medal.

For fellow-students Herdman had many who at present occupy prominent positions in Art, and it was gratefully acknowledged by him, as it has been by others, how much was due to their able master for his kindly sympathy and guiding influence. In order to study the Old Masters he proceeded to Italy in 1855, having with him a commission from the Academy to make a drawing in Water-Colour from one of Masaccio’s frescoes in the Carmine, Florence.

On his return, however, nine copies in Water-Colour made by him from various works in Italy, were acquired by the Academy, and they now hang in the Council-room. While in Italy he executed much original work, principally of peasant life of that country, including his Diploma work “ La Culla,” and from that time he contributed largely to the Annual Exhibitions. He was elected an Associate in 1858, and attained the full rank of Academician in 1863.

RSA Obituary, transcribed from 1888 RSA Annual Report