Paintings of Robert R. Compton

The James Compton Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of Land Forms, the paintings of Robert R. Compton from September 13 to September 29. The artist, Robert R. Compton (1922– 2015) 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 in the mid-1960’s, as well as courses in painting and drawing from Joan Brown and Elmer Bischoff at the San Francisco Institute. He greatly admired his contemporary at Stanford, Richard Diebenkorn and was heavily influenced by Paul Cezanne’s treatment of form and space. 

After sporadic forays into painting while working as a geologist, he was able to paint full-time in early retirement. He painted over 100 canvases. His work was rarely shown, and in honoring his request for a formal show, his five children are excited to present a luminous and extensive selection of paintings. 

The solo exhibition opens to the public with a reception on Friday, September 13, from 5 – 8 p.m. at the James Compton Gallery located at 131 W San Francisco Street. On Sunday, September 15 at 2 p.m. a talk on mountain landscapes and geology will be given by John Compton, emeritus professor of geology at the University of Cape Town. The talk is free and open to the public.