A Life of Art and Diplomacy
Sir Robert Ker Porter was a British artist, writer, and diplomat. Born in Durham, England, he studied at the Royal Academy after being recommended by Benjamin West. His early career included painting altarpieces for churches in Shoreditch and Portsea, as well as works for St John's College, Cambridge. He gained significant attention as one of Britain's earliest panorama painters, creating massive works such as the 120-foot long Storming of Seringapatam and the Battle of Lodi, which were exhibited at the Lyceum Theatre.
Porter’s professional life was deeply intertwined with international service. He served as the historical painter to Tsar Alexander I of Russia and later held the position of British consul in Venezuela for fifteen years. His travels took him through Russia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the Caucasus, and Persia, where he documented his journeys through various writings and sketches.
Travels and Notable Works
During his extensive travels, Porter engaged in significant historical and archaeological observations. In Persia, he visited Tehran, Isfahan, and Persepolis, where he made drawings and transcribed cuneiform inscriptions. He is noted for being the first person to locate the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae. His artistic output also included portraits, such as one of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and a portrait of Simón Bolívar.
His literary contributions include several published accounts of his expeditions, such as:
- Letters from Portugal and Spain
- Travelling sketches in Russia and Sweden
- Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c. &c.
