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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.

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
317

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where was David Roberts born? Hint

Falkirk

Tain, Ross-shire

Milton of Whins, near Stirling

Stockbridge, near Edinburgh

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Question 2 of 10

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

Drayman

Shepherd

Farm labourer

Shoemaker

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Question 3 of 10

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

Colourful circus placards

His mother's wedding dress

White sheep on a green field

Christmas cards

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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

John Kinnear

Francis Graham Moon

John Pell

Gavin Beugo

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Question 5 of 10

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

Pitlochry Playhouse

National Theatre, Edinburgh

The Pantheon

Players' Theatre Glasgow

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Question 6 of 10

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

Joanna Mactavish

Tess Macdonald

Margaret McLachlan

Flora McGillivray

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

Richard, Duke of York

Lord Carnarvon

Sir Bulwer Lytton

Sir Reginald Smythe

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Question 8 of 10

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

France

Italy

Spain

Portugal

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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

Jordan

Palestine

Syria

Egypt

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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

11 August 1866

14 October 1871

25 November 1864

3 September 1869

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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.

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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