Archibald Standish Hartrick, known as A.S. Forrest, was a Scottish painter and illustrator born on August 8, 1864, in Dumbarton, Scotland. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and later in Paris at the Académie Julian under the tutelage of William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury. Forrest is well-known for his landscape paintings and as an illustrator for popular magazines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Forrest's work as an illustrator found prominence in publications such as 'The Graphic' and 'Punch' magazine. His illustrations often captured the essence of British life and landscapes, and he was particularly recognized for his adept use of watercolors. Aside from magazine illustrations, Forrest also contributed to book illustrations, which further cemented his reputation as a versatile and talented artist.
In addition to his illustration work, A.S. Forrest was an accomplished landscape painter. His paintings often depicted the Scottish Highlands and other British countryside scenes, rendered with a vibrant palette and a dynamic brushwork that conveyed the atmospheric conditions of the locations he portrayed. Forrest's landscapes were exhibited at various institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Forrest was a part of the Glasgow Boys, a group of artists who were influenced by the Impressionists and sought to bring a more modern style to Scottish art. This group was instrumental in introducing the tenets of plein-air painting and realism to Scottish landscape and genre painting.
Throughout his career, Forrest traveled extensively, which influenced his art. He painted scenes from his travels, capturing the landscapes and daily life of people in countries such as Spain, Morocco, and Jamaica. These travels enriched his palette and broadened his artistic repertoire, making his work highly sought after by collectors.
A.S. Forrest's contribution to the field of art was not only through his paintings and illustrations but also through his influence on his contemporaries and subsequent generations of artists. He passed away on February 21, 1925, leaving behind a legacy of work that continues to be appreciated for its beauty and historical significance.