“In … latter years his creative sense was often stimulated by some of his early sketches which he could rework, in his own words, ‘Letting myself go in an effort to capture the essential poetry of the scene I had worked on in my youth.”
T.R. MacDonald, R.C.A., 1968
Robert Wakeham Pilot (October 9, 1898- December 17, 1967), born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, moved to Montreal in 1910 following his mother’s marriage to the renowned Canadian artist Maurice Cullen. Growing up in an artistic household, he was deeply influenced by his stepfather and began his formal education in art under William Brymner at the prestigious Art Association of Montreal. His early exposure to art was further solidified with studies in Paris at the Académie Julian under Jean-Paul Laurens, where his work was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1922.
Robert Pilot; Summer by the Pond
After serving as a gunner in World War I, Pilot returned to Montreal, where his career flourished. He was recognized for his Impressionist-style landscapes, which vividly captured urban scenes and harbors of Montreal and Quebec City. Pilot’s technique, characterized by vibrant colours and atmospheric effects, was influenced by his travels across France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and Algeria, as well as his artistic engagements in the Canadian Maritimes.
Robert Pilot; Summer in Venice
Pilot was an integral figure in the Canadian art scene, not only for his art but also for his commitment to teaching at l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Montreal from 1935 to 1939. He held significant positions such as the president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts from 1952 to 1954 and exhibited his works extensively at major venues including the Art Association of Montreal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Robert Pilot; Quebec City
His contributions during his second military service in World War II, where he re-enlisted and served as a captain in the Black Watch, were honoured with the title of Member of the British Empire (MBE). Throughout his life, Pilot was celebrated for his dedication to Canadian art and was posthumously honored with a retrospective exhibition in 1969 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Robert Pilot; Quebec Citadel and Ferry
Robert Wakeham Pilot’s works are held in high regard and continue to be part of major public collections such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. His legacy is remembered through his contributions to Canadian impressionism and his mentorship to future generations of artists.