AUSTIN, Robert

ROBERT AUSTIN
British, 1895-1973

Robert Austin, an etcher, was born in Leicester, Austin attended the Leicester Municipal School of Art from 1909-1913; before winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London.
Like most art colleges of the period, one of the main emphasises was placed on life drawing, a technique that he excelled at and continued throughout his life. Austin’s’ studies were interrupted by the First World War and he served as a gunner in the trenches. After resuming his place at the Royal College he began etching under Frank Short and he was awarded a scholarship to the British School in Rome. He lived and travelled throughout Italy from 1922-26 and was inspired by the Italian Landscape, architecture and art. Being particularly interested in the old master prints which he had seen in Italy, he started to use engraving in his prints rather than etching. On returning to England Austin visited Norfolk and in 1935 he purchased an old chapel in Burnham Overy Staithe which he converted into his home and studio. Austin liked to work in the early hours of the morning to catch the best light.
During the Second World War, Austin was appointed as an Official War Artist.He was based in Ambleside with the Royal College of Art. Most of his commissions were drawings at the Woolwich Arsenal, nurses and fighter pilots. His most famous commission was designing the new Ten Shilling and One Pound notes issued in 1960. Robert married in 1923 and had three children who became subjects in his drawings.
Austin was elected as a Royal Academician in 1949, President of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1956 and President of the Royal Society of Painter- Etchers in 1962.
Exhibitions
Twenty One Gallery 1926
Colnaghi 1939
Ashmolean Museum 1980
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery 1980
Fine Art Society 2001 & 2002

All the following drawings were purchased at the Studio Sale at Olympia, Sotheby’s and have the Studio Stamp on reverse. Not all the drawings are dated but some are dated from the 1930’s, the nudes are from the late 1940’s to the early 1950’s.
he camera image to the left of the description.

Woman Leaning on Table	Couple Sitting on the Ground.	Woman Washing Her Hair.
Woman Resting.	Study for the 'Cowheard'	Study for the plate 'Woman At Gate'
Couple By A Fire.	Sleeping Man	A Bell Ringer.