Robert Stephenson

1935 - 2015

Robert “Bob” Stephenson was born in Gloucester and was a career military man, serving in the United States Army for decades, including in Vietnam. While still very young, Stephenson had been given art lessons by Alice Beach Winter (1877-1970) and during high school he was inspired by Howard Curtis, long-time head of the art department in Gloucester’s public schools. When he retired in 1980, Stephenson took up painting, embracing his new career with enthusiasm.  That same year he studied with John Terelak at the Gloucester Academy of the Fine Arts.  Over the years, Rockport artist Tom Nicholas was a mentor and close friend. 

The Cape Ann Museum has two works by Robert Stephenson in its collection:  one a view from Portuguese Hill looking out over the harbor with Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in the foreground and Eastern Point in the distance.  The second was painted from the other perspective, looking at central Gloucester from across the harbor.  Both works are late afternoon or nighttime scenes and are endowed with a mystical aura which characterizes much of the Stephenson's work.  Swirling clouds dominate the skies and flecks of light appear in windows.

In 1955 while he was still a student at Gloucester High School, Robert Stephenson painted a rendering of the legendary Cape Ann Sea Serpent on a large boulder at Cressy’s Beach overlooking Gloucester Harbor.  Over the years, the serpent was repainted numerous times.  It remains in place today.