American, 1803 - 1899
Of Scottish descent, Robert Walter Weir was forced to spend most of his youth working to help support his family. In 1817, however, he visited the studio of John Wesley Jarvis where he met the young aspiring artist Henry Inman. This event instilled in Weir an interest in the fine arts and in 1821 he began studying under the British heraldic painter Robert Cooke. Within two years he completed his first major painting, St. Paul Preaching at Athens (unlocated). In 1824, aided by the support of the merchants John Delafield and Henry Carey, Weir embarked for Italy. Upon arriving in Florence he commenced studying painting of the old masters and worked on a series of religious paintings. Eventually he proceeded to Rome where he became acquainted with the British artists Charles Eastlake and David Wilkie and the aspiring American sculptor Haratio Greenough.
When Greenough became ill in 1827 Weir accompanied him on his return to the United States. After a brief stay in Boston he settled in New York and immediately became actively involved with the National Academy of Design. His historical and religious paintings were frequently exhibited at the Academy and from 1830 to 1833 he lectured on perspective.
In 1834 Weir replaced Charles Robert Leslie as instructor of drawing at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Although Weir remained in the post for the following forty-two years, he never abandoned his activities as an artist. In 1837 he received a commission from the government to paint the Embarkation of the Pilgrims for the rotunda of the Rotunda of the Capitol. After completing the painting in 1843 Weir continued to divide his energies between teaching and painting. He frequently experimented the landscape and genre paintings and his works were regularly exhibited at the National Academy and the Athenaeum Gallery in Boston. After retiring from his position at West Point in 1876 he moved to Castle Point, Hoboken, New Jersey. Although he was failing in health he remained actively engaged as an artist. In 1878 he returned to New York City where he spent the remaining years of his life. His sons, John Ferguson and Julian Alden, both became artists and were active at the National Academy.
When Greenough became ill in 1827 Weir accompanied him on his return to the United States. After a brief stay in Boston he settled in New York and immediately became actively involved with the National Academy of Design. His historical and religious paintings were frequently exhibited at the Academy and from 1830 to 1833 he lectured on perspective.
In 1834 Weir replaced Charles Robert Leslie as instructor of drawing at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Although Weir remained in the post for the following forty-two years, he never abandoned his activities as an artist. In 1837 he received a commission from the government to paint the Embarkation of the Pilgrims for the rotunda of the Rotunda of the Capitol. After completing the painting in 1843 Weir continued to divide his energies between teaching and painting. He frequently experimented the landscape and genre paintings and his works were regularly exhibited at the National Academy and the Athenaeum Gallery in Boston. After retiring from his position at West Point in 1876 he moved to Castle Point, Hoboken, New Jersey. Although he was failing in health he remained actively engaged as an artist. In 1878 he returned to New York City where he spent the remaining years of his life. His sons, John Ferguson and Julian Alden, both became artists and were active at the National Academy.
