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Robert Watson

1923 – 2004

American artist

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About Robert Watson

Lived 1923 – 2004 (aged 81). Robert Watson was an American painter.

Robert Watson (28 February 1923 – 14 December 2004) was an American artist born in Martinez, California. Watson provided the cover art for Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, second edition, printed in 1953.

Robert Watson was mostly self-taught artist. In the early 1940s he spent several years in New York City studying work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He also studied with Frederick Taubes at the University of Wisconsin before relocating to Berkeley, California.

In 1947, he held his first exhibition at Gump's in San Francisco. The show was favorably reviewed by San Francisco Chronicle Art Critic Alfred Frankenstein. In 1953, he painted the cover art for the 1953 edition of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles.

On May 17, 1997, Watson had a 50-year retrospective show at the Weinstein Gallery in San Francisco, California. Mayor Willie Brown proclaimed that day "Robert Watson Day".

Watson died at the age of 81 in Poway, California after a brief struggle with cancer.

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Important facts

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People in Robert Watson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Watson?

American artist (1923-2004)

When was Robert Watson born?

Robert Watson was born on 28 February 1923.

When did Robert Watson die?

Robert Watson died on 14 December 2004.

What was Robert Watson's occupation?

Robert Watson was a painter.

What nationality was Robert Watson?

Robert Watson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Watson

· Wikidata: Q7350891

· DBpedia: Robert Watson (artist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Watson. https://biography.guide/robert-watson-painter/

MLA: "Robert Watson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-watson-painter/.

Chicago: "Robert Watson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-watson-painter/.

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