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Daily Gleaner, July 1, 1897
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I first saw references to Zithri Atkinson more than thirty years ago while I was working on my thesis on Robert Love, the doctor/journalist/politician in Jamaica from 1890 to 1914. I always hoped that I would see more about him somewhere. Now I am trying to bring together what I can find, so that this early modern Jamaican artist has some place, however small, in the island's story.
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Daily Gleaner, August 3, 1899
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Using references from the Jamaica Advocate, the Telegraph and the Gleaner, I gave this account of Zithri Atkinson's presence at gatherings of Love's 'People's Convention':
It appears that the objective of raising a memorial to the
philanthropists had not been achieved, but it was recorded that
‘enlarged crayon portraits’ of the three men and of Wendell Phillips,
the American abolitionist, were placed on the walls of the Spanish Town
Hall at the meeting of the People’s Convention in August 1899. These
portraits were done from photographs by a young black Jamaican called
Zithri J Atkinson who was a self-taught artist making a name for himself
in Kingston at the time. This is a reflection of Love’s original
intention of having sculptures done by an artist of African descent.
Unfortunately no mention is made of the final location of these
portraits. However the underlying objective of creating an institution
largely controlled by black men had undoubtedly been achieved and
prepared the way for other similar bodies in the future.
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Love reminded his audience that they did owe a debt, of gratitude
to God and to men like Phillippo and Burchell whose portraits hung on
the walls of the Hall. Here Love paused to introduce to the audience
the young black self-taught artist, Zithri Atkinson, who had done the
portraits from photographs and presented them to the Convention.
to God and to men like Phillippo and Burchell whose portraits hung on
the walls of the Hall. Here Love paused to introduce to the audience
the young black self-taught artist, Zithri Atkinson, who had done the
portraits from photographs and presented them to the Convention.
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In 1903 enlarged crayon portraits of Clarkson, Wilberforce, Phillips,
Toussaint, John Brown and Knibb were placed over the platform at
the People's Convention. It was not stated that they were by Zithri
Atkinson, but he was present and took part in the proceedings.
from 'ROBERT LOVE AND JAMAICAN POLITICS', Chapter X
Toussaint, John Brown and Knibb were placed over the platform at
the People's Convention. It was not stated that they were by Zithri
Atkinson, but he was present and took part in the proceedings.
from 'ROBERT LOVE AND JAMAICAN POLITICS', Chapter X
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On the birth record of his daughter born in Kingston in 1902, as on the other two birth records I have found, Zithri Atkinson gives his 'rank or profession' as 'Artist'. He had been establishing a reputation in his field, at least from 1897.
Jamaica Post
July 18, 1899
NATIVE TALENT
Jamaican makes Crayon Enlargements
from Photographs and Drawings.
Jithri J. Atkinson, a young Jamaican, residing at No. 47 Maiden Lane, Kingston, called at the DAILY TELEGRAPH office yesterday and showed a really excellent specimen of crayon enlargement, executed by himself from a cabinet photograph. Mr. Atkinson is self-taught; and he has turned out many beautiful pieces of work, in which the display of artistic skill is highly creditable, and for which he has obtained fair remuneration in appreciation of his skill. The picture which was shown yesterday represented an Italian mother with a babe in her arms; and seemed indeed a difficult job. There were also shown some splendid collections of wood engraving, sketches, stamps, monograms, etc., which had been executed by the unaided efforts of Mr. Atkinson; and these also do him high credit. This young man is the same who gained the prize at the Eisteddfod competitions at the Institute some time ago for freehand drawing and drawing from light and shade.
Mr. Atkinson also does good work in the way of window decorations; and he can be recommended to those who need the services of a skillful, intelligent draughtsman, engraver, decorator or picture-painter.
July 18, 1899
NATIVE TALENT
Jamaican makes Crayon Enlargements
from Photographs and Drawings.
Jithri J. Atkinson, a young Jamaican, residing at No. 47 Maiden Lane, Kingston, called at the DAILY TELEGRAPH office yesterday and showed a really excellent specimen of crayon enlargement, executed by himself from a cabinet photograph. Mr. Atkinson is self-taught; and he has turned out many beautiful pieces of work, in which the display of artistic skill is highly creditable, and for which he has obtained fair remuneration in appreciation of his skill. The picture which was shown yesterday represented an Italian mother with a babe in her arms; and seemed indeed a difficult job. There were also shown some splendid collections of wood engraving, sketches, stamps, monograms, etc., which had been executed by the unaided efforts of Mr. Atkinson; and these also do him high credit. This young man is the same who gained the prize at the Eisteddfod competitions at the Institute some time ago for freehand drawing and drawing from light and shade.
Mr. Atkinson also does good work in the way of window decorations; and he can be recommended to those who need the services of a skillful, intelligent draughtsman, engraver, decorator or picture-painter.
Zithri Atkinson continued his artistic profession in Kingston at least until 1904:
Daily Gleaner, December 4, 1902
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He may, like many others, have left the city after the earthquake of January 1907, which destroyed most of the commercial district. His daughter and son, born in 1908 and 1913 respectively, were both born in Westmoreland, which seems to have been his base for the future.
There are few references to Zithri Atkinson, the artist, after this, though a comment in 1930, from Sav-la-Mar, shows that he had continued his creation of portraits from photographs:
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Daily Gleaner, December 12, 1930
Mr. Zethri Atkinson, local artist and photographer in this town, is in the running for the first prize of 20/ offered for the best enlarged hand painting, framed, of the elected member of the Legislative Council for Westmoreland. |
The latest references I have found to Zithri Atkinson are in 1938 and '39. By that time he might have been about sixty, and may have died sometime in the following years; I have found no mention of his death.
Daily Gleaner, April 28, 1938
JAMAICA ON DISPLAY - THE ART EXHIBITION
JAMAICA ON DISPLAY - THE ART EXHIBITION
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Things You Must Look For
The new freedom which Carl Abrahams has put into his work . . . The little portrait in pencil of a girl by D. Aiken, a most charming bit of work . . . The peaceful and quiet landscape of the Darliston country by Z. J. Atkinson . . . The pleasant landscapes by Mrs. H. F. Bancroft . . . The boldness of G. Beckford's "Sunset." Stand and look at it long, or its meaning will not dawn on you . . .
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THE ORIGINALS
Alfred [Albert] Huie and J. Dunkley are reserved for special mention. They are the two prime originals of the exhibition. Huie is a portrait painter with a remarkably incisive quality and Dunkley a landscape painter who treats the most ordinary subjects in a strongly decorative fashion. Both their works, the first a lad, the other a mature man, deserve and will repay close study. 
STRIKING PORTRAIT by 17-year-old Alfred [Albert] Huie, award of merit winner at the All Jamaica Art Exhibition now on at St. George's Hall. This picture has been purchased by Mrs. Cecil Lindo.
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The portrait of Pope Pius may well be similar to the portraits from photographs which Zithri Atkinson had created from his earliest years as an artist.
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Daily Gleaner, May 23, 1939
JAMAICAN'S PORTRAIT OF POPE Enlarged by pantograph from a smaller picture, this splendid portrait is the work of Mr. C. Henry Morris, of Darliston. Mr. Morris has asked the "Gleaner" to keep the original at our office for a day or two so that those interested may call and see it. [The pantograph is a simple apparatus for copying drawings, maps, designs, etc., on a reduced or enlarged scale, or to the same size as the original.] ARTIST: Mr. C. Henry Morris, of Darliston, who made the accompanying picture of Pope Pius . . . . took lessons from Mr. C. Z. Atkinson, photographer and artist of Darliston. [It seems almost certain that this is a reference to Zithri Atkinson.] |
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the photographer
The first indication I have found of Zithri Atkinson, photographer, is in 1927:
Daily Gleaner, April 30, 1927
Once Zithri Atkinson had moved, or perhaps, moved back, to Westmoreland, he probably realised that to make a living, he had to turn to being a photographer, as more practical than being an artist.
There are few references to Zithri Atkinson as a photographer, but there are enough to indicate that he made a success of that career.
Some of Zithri Atkinson's photographs appeared in the press.
The three shown below are those that I have found which can best be reproduced.
There are few references to Zithri Atkinson as a photographer, but there are enough to indicate that he made a success of that career.
Some of Zithri Atkinson's photographs appeared in the press.
The three shown below are those that I have found which can best be reproduced.
Daily Gleaner, February 11, 1931
A SHARK CAUGHT AT SAV-LA-MAR recently by Constable Garvis of the Water police station. It measured 7 feet 6 inches, and put up a stiff fight before it was captured.
Photo by Atkinson Sav-la-Mar |
Daily Gleaner, January 9, 1932
THE POLICE GUARD OF HONOUR under the command
of Inspector F. N. Miles and Sergeant-Major Clarke, which received H. E. the Governor, Sir Edward Stnbbs, G.C.M.G., and party, on their arrival at the Sav-la-Mar Court House on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd January. . . . His Excellency received addresses from various bodies welcoming him to the parish, and he, in turn, thanked the different organisations for their cordial welcome. The picture was taken by Mr. Jethri Atkinson, artist and photographer of Savanna-la -Mar. |
Daily Gleaner, April 7, 1932
THE NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL AT TOWN HEAD which was opened and dedicated to the service of Almighty God on Easter Monday. The new structure takes the place of the former building which was destroyed by 1912 Hurricane. A portion of the crowd is seen standing in front of the sacred Edifice. They are very joyful for the new building. The new church is an ornament to the community. Over 400 persons attended the opening ceremony.
Photo by Zethri Atkinson. |
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