Robert Louis Stevenson died on 3 December 1894. He was forty-four years old. Here he is, looking elegant in a John Singer Sargent portrait…
Portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson by John Singer Sargent, 1887
He was as dashing as the best of them…
Robert Louis Stevenson, 1879
His spirited wife, Fanny, also excelled at living life to the fullest …
Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne Stevenson
“So long as we love, we serve; so long as we are loved by others, I should say that we are almost indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend.”-Robert Louis Stevenson
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
His wide set eyes are quite becoming. Yet another great painting of a man with what appears to be a cigarette. Fanny looks very spunky indeed. I like her already. maybe she’ll be the inspiration for the strong female character I’m trying to write about (and struggling with). Just thought I’d mention again that I really enjoy your blog a lot.
Adrienne
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Fanny was incredibly spunky! There’s an excellent biography on her. I reviewed it on here last year: https://onetrackmuse.com/2012/05/20/a-year-in-booksday-138-fanny-stevenson/
I’m about to re-read it, and am really excited. I know you’d enjoy the book!
Thanks so much for your nice compliment. I appreciate it immensely. I enjoy your blogs, as well!
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I wonder why he left us so young but will look it up. Today, we do not take “adventurer” as a profession but we should, beyond the show, we should!
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A hemorrhage, it is believed. If more people were professional adventurers, the world would once again be a more colourful place.
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Yes, I agree, it would be a more colorful place, but somehow there are not backers or financial families who support their artist children as they did in the days of Monet and some of the other greats. Adventure was thought to be worth something and now days, travel is easier and anyone can go anyplace so some of the wonder and exclusivity has worn off. Beautiful picture. Some people just come for a quick visit and don’t stay long.
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Indeed, that is all very true! Of course, not very many families, then or now, rich or poor, are too gung ho about their offspring going off of the well-worn and traditional paths. Fortunately, some people persevere.
It is amazing what can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, though, especially when living outside accepted norms.
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I’ve been listening to a librivox recording of Treasure Island. One of the narrator’s has a very heavy Dutch accent. It’s making for an interesting listen.
(great portrait, by the way!)
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That sounds very odd, maybe even compelling.
I love this painting. I think it captures RLS in his full eccentricity.
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Pingback: What Man May Learn, What Man May Do By Robert Louis Stevenson | Renard Moreau Presents
Nice tribute! Thought you might be interested in my short film “Death Is No Bad Friend” about Robert Louis and Fanny Stevenson in San Francisco: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/death-is-no-bad-friend/x/1089930 Best regards, G. E.
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Thank you! I will definitely check out your short film when I have a few minutes to spare, likely sometime this coming weekend. Thanks!
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