Robert Saunder Rayment was born in London in 1839. From an early age Rayment showed a talent for painting but, in deference to his parents, he studied law. After qualifying, he returned to art, visiting the Tate and National Galleries in London where he copied the work of watercolourists such as J.M.W. Turner. Rayment became a pupil of John Ruskin and in 1870 joined the Langham Sketching Club but little is known of his career in England. In 1887 he migrated to Australia, arriving in Brisbane on 1 July. Rayment was determined to contribute to this new society: the month after his arrival, he exhibited watercolours of 'Milton Reach from Grey Street Ferry’, 'Sandgate’ and 'Hamilton Reach from Braeside’ at the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association. He also contributed paintings to the Queensland Court at the Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne in 1888.
Rayment’s first two years in Queensland were spent travelling and painting pictures, some on commission for owners of stations. However, Rayment’s arrival in Queensland coincided with an economic depression so he also taught drawing at the Brisbane Technical College, the Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School, Miss O’Connor’s School at Oxley and at Miss Clark’s School at Toowong to make a living. In 1890, he was an unsuccessful applicant for the position as head of the art school at the Brisbane Technical College. He exhibited watercolours of English and local subjects at the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association in 1887 and 1891 and the Queensland Art Society in 1892. He died suddenly at Cleveland on 18 August 1893. As his active career in Queensland was just six years, his paintings are rare.
Research Curator, Queensland Heritage
- Writers:
- Cooke, Glenn R.
- Date written:
- 2008
- Last updated:
- 2011
