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Quiz about The Life and Work of David Roberts RA
Quiz about The Life and Work of David Roberts RA

The Life and Work of David Roberts, RA Quiz


The nineteenth century artist David Roberts is best remembered for his fine coloured drawings of the Middle East - but how much do you know about the man and his works?

A multiple-choice quiz by sancho_pft. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
sancho_pft
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
247,491
Updated
Mar 09 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
316
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Where was David Roberts born? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. He came from humble beginnings; what was his father's occupation? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What prompted David to pick up a wax crayon and draw exceptionally good sketches on the kitchen wall? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. David was apprenticed to a decorator for seven years. This authoritarian man nurtured David's artistic talents. Who was he? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. David's first "painting" job (as opposed to decorating) was as assistant scenery painter for which theatre company? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. David married an actress in 1820. Who was she? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Roberts founded The Society of British Artists. He abandoned scene painting in favour of the much more lucrative studio work. An early work was a series of drawings entitled "Pilgrims of the Rhine". Who commissioned it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Roberts' first overseas expedition was to which country? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In August 1838, Roberts set off on the trip which would ensure his fame and fortune. Although he visited many countries on this trip, for which country is the expedition best remembered? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. After a successful career (although success only came later in life) Roberts died of a heart attack, with his daughter at his bedside. On which date? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Where was David Roberts born?

Answer: Stockbridge, near Edinburgh

Roberts was born on 24 October 1796.
2. He came from humble beginnings; what was his father's occupation?

Answer: Shoemaker

David's father made very little money at the cobbling business.
3. What prompted David to pick up a wax crayon and draw exceptionally good sketches on the kitchen wall?

Answer: Colourful circus placards

Picking up some leaflets from a travelling circus, David's father brought them home, thinking they might amuse young David. When he found David drawing the scenes on the kitchen walls, he recognised David's talent immediately, although their poverty precluded sending David to school.
4. David was apprenticed to a decorator for seven years. This authoritarian man nurtured David's artistic talents. Who was he?

Answer: Gavin Beugo

Although a sour and strict man, it was probably Beugo who gave David some instruction in art.
5. David's first "painting" job (as opposed to decorating) was as assistant scenery painter for which theatre company?

Answer: The Pantheon

The Pantheon travelling theatre company benefitted from Roberts' expertise for four years, until he left to become official scenery painter for the Theatre Royal of Glasgow, and subsequently the Theatre Royal of Edinburgh.
6. David married an actress in 1820. Who was she?

Answer: Margaret McLachlan

His marriage was short-lived, although a daughter, Christine, was born in 1821. Roberts was devoted to her, and she to him.
7. Roberts founded The Society of British Artists. He abandoned scene painting in favour of the much more lucrative studio work. An early work was a series of drawings entitled "Pilgrims of the Rhine". Who commissioned it?

Answer: Sir Bulwer Lytton

Ronerts had successfully exhibited a painting at The Royal Academy, and widespread public acclaim was growing. Lytton's commission cemented his reputation, and gave him the funds to start his travels.
8. Roberts' first overseas expedition was to which country?

Answer: Spain

During the two year trip, beginning in 1832, Roberts visited almost all the major cities of Spain, including Madrid, Toledo, Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville and Granada. His drawings were published as "Picturesque Sketches of Spain", and he would have made a small fortune from the publishing, had the publisher not defrauded him.
9. In August 1838, Roberts set off on the trip which would ensure his fame and fortune. Although he visited many countries on this trip, for which country is the expedition best remembered?

Answer: Egypt

Although Roberts visited and worked in all these countries, his grestest work was in Egypt. Travelling from Alexandria, he travelled to Cairo, then, without delay, up the Nile to the great Nubian temples of Abu Simbel, pausing only to draw the monuments along the way.
10. After a successful career (although success only came later in life) Roberts died of a heart attack, with his daughter at his bedside. On which date?

Answer: 25 November 1864

His is buried in Norwood Cemetery; after his death his beloved daughter Christine edited his diaries, written during his many overseas trips, and prepared them for publication in illustrated form - although it should be noted she omitted some of the more racy drawing in his collection!
Source: Author sancho_pft

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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