Elected ARSA: 17 March 1948
R, H, Westwater, A.R.S.A. died at his home, Church House, Southfleet, in Kent on Friday, 16th November, 1962. He was 97.
He was the son of a Fife Schoolmaster, received his early education at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, afterwards attending the Edinburgh College of Art. He took a diploma in drawing and painting and was then awarded a post-graduate Scholarship upon completion of which, he gained a Travelling Scholarship for study in Europe.
After three years teaching in London, he joined the Staff of the Edinburgh College of Art. He taught there for 10 years. He was awarded an Andrew Grant Fellowship in 1934. He taught for several years as Art Master at Fettes College, Edinburgh and then returned to London, where he practised as a Painter.
He established a reputation as a Portrait Painter and in 1948 was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy and in the following year, a
member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. ”Peter” Westwater, as he was known to his friends, was for a time, Art Critic to the 'Scotsman' and he became well-known as a writer and broadcaster. From is student days, he had also developed an interest in acting.
His portraits included the Duke of Montrose; Sir Compton Mackenzie; Lord Boothby and Dr. C. M. Grieve (Hugh MacDiarmid) author and poet. This last Work was carried out in the Raeburn Studio, York Place, the commissioned portrait being a presentation to the poet on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
He early manifested an admiration for Cezanne and the work of the post-impressionists and his earliest drawings and paintings suggested a number of possible developments. An echo of the influence of Degas and the way he eschewed the conventional, inclined him to the intimate and natural settings appropriate to his sitters. Mr. Westwater conferred artistic vitality and character upon his portrait arrangements, giving unusual consideration to colour orchestration.
RSA Obituary transcribed from the 1962 RSA Annual Report
