Tomtu H. Roberts was one of the early pioneer artists in Canada who painted the 'natural beauty' and sketched the many characters that made up our early history. Contrary to J. Russell Harpers brief bio in his 'Early Painters and Engravers in Canada' belief that Tomhu (sometimes names Tomtu) was a Welsh immigrant, in fact, he was born as described in his fathers dairies " 10 minutes to 10 p.m.....26th November 1859 .. house of Mr. J. Randel ... corner of Maple and Third Street ... Collingwood, County of Simcoe ... Township of Nattawasaga on the shores of Lake Huron.. the moon being three days old". Because of his birth place on the shores of Lake Huron he was given the middle name of Huron.

In the book "Artist Overland" published by the Burnaby Art Gallery they describe Tomhu -" Tomhu Roberts sees to have been the first registered artist to live in Vancouver and make a living as an artist. He must have seen the city firsthand, for the Roberts family came to the city in 1885. His work marks the end of the topographical era, for he deals with the landscape in a subjective fashion, using colors in an emotion evoking way which would of been quite novel in British Columbia at the time." The Encyclopedia of Canadian Artists describes,Tomhu ( Tomtu) Roberts as the only artist listed in the city directory. His subjects include nature (landscapes with atmospheric effects), people and subjects from books.

He was influenced by the painter Constable and his notebooks were filled with sketches and notations about the changing skies, the angles of the sun and exact coloration. Later the Vancouver Museum acquired 20 of his early Vancouver paintings with little information on him. His painting "Big Rock, Third Beach", a small picture, is reproduced in J. Russell Harpers "Painting in Canada a history ( 1966) In 1978 Mr. Bertrand inherited some of the artist painting, sketches, sketch books and the dairies kept by the artist's father, J.H. Roberts, .. Dale undertook research of the artistic 1979... Exhibition in Vancouver and November at the Graphica Art Gallery Edmonton "Tomhu lived with his family in Vancouver for 25 years at 2527 Quebec Street. In 1907 Tomhu's father writes "We spent more years in Vancouver than anywhere on earth." Because Tomhu painted in Toronto and Vancouver, we have many fine landscapes depicting Canada in the early stage of its development. In his paintings he exhibits a real skill in showing natures many moods. This is especially seen in his portrayals of the sky in "Sun breaking thru Clouds".

In describing Tomhu's painting in book the 'Coast, the Sea and Canadian Art', the author says, "The air feels dense and still-quiet like Vancouver at the end of a hot July day". And the pumpkin colored cloud is a complete surprise. Robert's audacity is still a little thrilling". In "From Desolation to Splendor" Maria Tippett & Douglas Cole say" on one remarkable sketch he inscribed notations on how correctly to paint the foliage of a cedar. "Put simple shadows then high lights then cool tints in the shadows," he wrote, "and it is done." Roberts, one of the earliest of the mainland settlers, was searching for an accommodation of this traditional style to aspects of the landscape that were new to his experience." As well as landscapes like "Camp Story" or "Coastal Cottage" or "Rail Ties".

References: "Artist Overland" by the Burnaby Art Gallery, "Painting in Canada and Early Painters and Engraver in Canada" by J.Russell Harper, U of T. Press, "Coast, Sea and Canadian Art", "From Desolation to Splendor"- Maia Tippett & Douglas Cole Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Sun, Exhibition Notice, Canadian Art Sale Index 1983-84 by Anthony Westbridge.

Along with the paintings and ink and penicl/ink drawings listed to the right are a number of sketchbooks listed below:

SketchBook1A
Vancouver Sketch Book/ Lesson Book 1883-1884
18 mm x 10.8mm 7 1/6”x4 ¼” 32 pages of Vancouver scenes and peoples before the fire (Digitized) See attached


1. Painting in Watercolor/Portraits/Landscapes – 17 pages –4 1/2”x6”
2. Technique of Painting–half- tints- two sided - 11 pages approx 6”x10”
3. Techniques of Landscapes –- lined paper) – 17 pages approx3 5/8””x6 3/8”
4. People sketches (some in the night_ - lined paper –21 pages 37/8”x6 1/4”
5. Journal of Techniques of Painting – two sided – square – 10pages 6 3/4”x8” and 6 pages 4 ½” x 7 5/8”
6. Color in a Nutshell– both sides –– 8 pages approx 4” x 6”
7. Shadows/Scale – 4 pages – approx 4”x6”
8. Modern Paintings by Ruskin

In the Roberts Collection there is 41 ink drawing and penicl/ink drawings with some watercolor on 21 pages - some shown on right column.


Historical Photographs of the Roberts Family - 31
1. 1 photograph John Hugh Roberts – Father of Tomhu, Missy, Sarah, grandfather to first boy born in Vancouver Charles, also Flossie, Winny
2. 1 photograph of wife of John Hugh Roberts – Anne Roberts (also in one group photos) – Mother of Tomhu, Missy, Sarah, grandmother to first boy born in Vancouver Charles, and also Flossie and Winny. Tomhu has sketches of his mother.
3. 1 photograph of Tomhu Huron Roberts – son of John Hugh and Ann Roberts – Early Canadian artist - uncle of first boy born in Vancouver. Tomhu is in a few also of the group photos.
4. 6 photographs of Mississippi Mary Roberts (Steele) daughter of John Hugh and Anne, mother of first boy born in Vancouver, other children were Flossie and Winny , sister of Tomhu Huron Roberts. Tomhu has sketches of his sister Missy.
5. 4 photographs of Charles Steele – first boy born in Vancouver, son of Mississippi and William Steele, nephew to Tomhu Huron Roberts, Missy and Sarah. Tomhu has sketches of Charles in his sketchbooks and also a painting.
6. 6 photographs of William Butler Steele – father of Charles Steele who was the first child registered to be born in Vancouver (registration was in New Westminster) worked in Vancouver at the Hasting Mill but later had photographic company in Winnipeg Steeles and Co with his brother Fred Steele.
7. 2 photographs of Winny Steele – daughter of Mississippi – sister to Charles and Flossie (lived with her grandmother and grandfather and Tomhu who was her uncle. Tomhu has many sketches of Winny in his sketchbooks.
8. 5 photographs of Flossie – daughter of Mississippi and William Steele Butler, sister to first boy born in Vancouver Charles Steele, niece to Tomhu.
9. 3 photographs of Berta (Roberts Nisbet) wife of Charles Steele who was the first boy born in Vancouver.
10. Group photos – various family members photographed together. Tomhu is in some of these photos.
Writings: One page with Instructions from Mr. Jacobi who lived with them in Toronto in the 1870's for some time. Tomhu took instructions from him also. A small newspaper item that was attached to the painting "Landscape Inspired by Constable." This article gives a humorous event at a joint show of Turner and Constables at the Royal Academy Exhibition, year unknown.