Robert Atkinson studied in London and Antwerp before moving to New Zealand, then in 1885 to Australia. Like many other artists, he worked as an illustrator on various publications, including 'The Bulletin'. He spent about five years in Sydney, exhibiting with the Art Society of NSW, and was a resident of the artists' camp at Edwards Beach near Balmoral.

Excerpt from Hendrik Kolenberg, Anne Ryan and Patricia James, '19th century Australian watercolours, drawings & pastels in the Gallery's collection', Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2005