Robert Edge Pine

Who was Robert Edge Pine?

Robert Edge Pine was an English portrait and historical painter, born in London. He was the son of John Pine, the engraver and designer.

He painted portraits, such as those of George II, of the Duke of Northumberland, and of Garrick; a series of scenes from Shakespeare, some of which afterward appeared in Boydell's Shakespeare; and historical compositions, including Lord Rodney Aboard the Formidable.

Around 1784, Pine travelled to America and settled in Philadelphia, where his time was completely taken up with portraiture. Among his sitters were General Gates, Charles Carroll, Robert Morris, George Read, Thomas Stone, Mrs. Reid, and Washington. The portrait of Washington was engraved for Irving's Life of Washington, but it is weak in characterization. An historically interesting canvas Congress Voting Independence, now in the Historical Society, Philadelphia, was begun by Pine and finished by Edward Savage. After Pine's death many of his pictures were collected in the Columbian Museum in Boston.