Robert Turnbull Macpherson

Robert Turnbull Macpherson studied at University of Edinburgh. The recorded working language is English. Places of work recorded in the authority are Rome. Work by Robert Turnbull Macpherson is recorded in the collections of National Gallery of Victoria, Art Institute of Chicago, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• Name — Robert Turnbull Macpherson • Born — 27 February 1814 • Birthplace — Dalkeith, Scotland • Died — 17 November 1872 • Place of death — Rome, Italy • Occupation — Artist, photographer • Spouse — Louisa Gerardine Bate

Robert Turnbull Macpherson was born on 27 February 1814 in Dalkeith, Scotland, outside the city of Edinburgh. Although family friend and author Margaret Oliphant described him as a close relative of Clan Macpherson chief Ewan Macpherson of Cluny and "the nearest male relative" of poet James Macpherson, the exact relationships are uncertain. Nothing is known of Macpherson's childhood until his study in medicine at the University of Edinburgh between 1831 and 1835. He apparently did not complete his medical studies, and subsequently studied art at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, where he exhibited portraits between 1835 and 1839. His only known surviving work from this period is Templar Knight at Roslin Chapel, an oil painting dated 1836. In 1840 he left Scotland for Rome, Italy.

During his initial years in Rome, Macpherson continued to practice as a painter. While records exist of several works between 1840 and 1845, only one is known to survive from Macpherson's time in Rome—a large oil painting of the Roman Campagna, dated 1842. In addition to painting, he worked as an art dealer. His most notable acquisition was a large, dark panel which he purchased in 1846. After cleaning the piece, it was identified as The Entombment of Christ, an unfinished work by Michelangelo. Macpherson smuggled the painting out of Rome, and in 1868 sold it to the National Gallery in London for £2000. In 1847, Macpherson met and fell in love with seventeen-year-old Louisa Gerardine ("Geddie") Bate, who had travelled from London to Rome in the company of her aunt, the art historian Anna Jameson. Macpherson and Bate continued the relationship after Bate's return to England, despite her parents' and aunt's objections, and were married in September 1849, in Ealing.

By the late 1860s Macpherson's fortunes were in decline. His health had deteriorated due to malaria, and the increasing political instability in Rome reduced the stream of British tourists that made up much of his customer base. At the same time, technical advances in photography moved the medium from the realm of artists to that of a commodity. Robert Macpherson died on 17 November 1872. His funeral was held at the artists' church Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, and he was buried at Campo Verano though his grave has since been lost. He was survived by his wife Gerardine and children William (who appears in the Italian record as "Guglielmo"), Joseph ("Giuseppe"), Ada ("Aida"), and Francis or Frank ("Francesco"). Over the course of his photography career, Macpherson catalogued 1,019 photographs. Today, significant numbers may be found at George Eastman House, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Courtauld Institute of Art, and the British School at Rome. Smaller collections are found worldwide.

The authorities additionally record the headings Robert Macpherson, Robert Turnbull McPherson, R. His recorded language was English. His recorded confession was Catholic Church. He married Gerardine Macpherson.

Robert Turnbull Macpherson is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Recorded with the occupation antiquarian seller.