Landscapes: The Paintings of Robert R. Compton

Robert R. Compton (1922–2015), Professor emeritus at Stanford University, painted his whole life, but the last 30 years were particularly dedicated to painting. This show is a view into his world of landscapes, seen as an artist and as a geologist.

“These years of geologic studies in the desert led to an understanding and feeling for the landscapes: for the remarkable colors, their structures, and for the broad and deep space around them.” Robert R Compton

The mountains, valleys, vegetation, sky and clouds in the paintings of Robert R. Compton are discernible but distinct from what would be captured by the human eye or a camera lens. Shapes and colors are emphasized or exaggerated in ways that are not realistic, giving them an interpretive power of his imagination, his interior ‘dream world’. His dream world was built upon the connections he had with the land – its geologic deep history, the shifts in weather and light, the warm colors of earth and cool colors of the plant cover – all of which enhance and suffuse his art.

Robert R. Compton was a world-renowned field geologist who from an early age enjoyed the Great Outdoors and developed a passion for art, teaching himself how to draw while serving in World War II. He pursued his interest in art after becoming a professional geologist, completing an art course at Foothill College and attending the San Francisco Art Institute in the early 1960s. He took courses in painting and drawing at the Institute from Joan Brown and Elmer Bischoff. He also admired and was influenced by Richard Diebenkorn. He was particularly intrigued and influenced by the works of Paul Cezanne.