Artist: Robert B Jefferson
Title: Stray Visitor
Medium: Gouache
Edition: Original - One of a kind
Artwork Dimensions: 49cm x 43cm (19" x 17")
Frame Dimensions: 60cm x 55cm (24" x 22")
Condition: Image: Good. Frame: Good. Minor marks.
About the artwork
Stray Visitor by Robert Jefferson Des RCA captures a moment of quiet charm within the formal gardens of Levens Hall, Cumbria. Rendered in gouache with Jefferson’s signature stylized realism, the scene features manicured topiary, vibrant flower beds, and a regal crown-shaped archway that anchors the composition. Figures stroll leisurely along the paths—a woman in a pale blue dress, a man in a beige coat—while a striped cat crosses the foreground, lending the piece its title and a touch of narrative whimsy. The painting balances architectural precision with gentle storytelling, evoking both the grandeur of historic gardens and the intimacy of everyday encounters. Jefferson’s design background is evident in the harmonious layout and decorative flair, making this work a quietly captivating example of British narrative landscape.
About the Artist
Robert Jefferson Des RCA is a British artist and designer whose work spans fine art and ceramic innovation. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Jefferson is best known for his whimsical gouaches and watercolours, often depicting serene garden scenes, curious animals, and subtly humorous narratives. His design sensibility—honed through years as a resident designer at Poole Pottery and founder of Purbeck Pottery—infuses his paintings with a refined sense of composition and decorative flair. Jefferson’s contributions to British studio ceramics in the mid-20th century, including work for Royal Doulton and Royal Crown Derby, complement his visual storytelling in paint. Though biographical details remain scarce, his works have appeared in exhibitions such as the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and continue to surface in UK auctions, quietly affirming his place in the lineage of British modernist illustrators and designers.
