Posthumous and Bereavement Portraiture and Fine Art

posthumous portrait

Robert creates bereavement portraits for loved ones after the passing of their dearly departed. He is a specialist in posthumous portraiture and has used ashes in the paint to create a portrait OF the deceased.

Leaders in Education (Harry Freeman)

Robert can also create custom landscapes and still lives that tell the story of remembrance of the deceased, incorporating the ashes into the substrate of the panel or canvas. He can also paint directly onto urns or other objects, such as furnishings and other keepsakes, which would be treasured by the family over generations as a remembrance of the deceased. Think of it as a modern twist on the ancient Egyptian and Babylonian traditions.

Take a look at Robert’s available original fine art, to see how other genres besides portraiture might lend themselves to the purposes of commemorating or memorializing an individual. I also create custom artworks and murals to celebrate a theme or tell the deceased’s story in images.

Obviously, in many cases, time doesn’t permit for the creation of a full oil portrait to be completed in the few days leading up to a funeral service. But there are services Robert can provide in that short envelope of time as well, which he would be happy to discuss.

This selection of portraits were created posthumously or otherwise using available photographs. Very often, multiple images are combined from a variety of sources to create the final product. Posthumous portraits pose a unique challenge for the artist because they don’t have the benefit of actually meeting the subject. Years of experience have enabled Robert to capture their personalities with the aid of decent photos, much research and interviews with the people who knew them best.

Augustus Woodward (Collection of Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society)

Some of these portraits have amazing stories. One such portrait is of the one I created of Augustus Woodward, the first Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Here you can read and watch a cool video about the process and the amazing story behind the portrait of this iconic historical figure.

Contact Robert about how he can provide the most meaningful, profound way to memorialize your loved ones.