Robert Cottingham is an American painter and printmaker best known for his depictions of urban landscapes, particularly storefronts, neon signs, movie marquees, and building facades. After serving in the U.S. Army (1955–1958), he studied advertising and graphic design at Pratt Institute in New York. Cottingham began his career as an art director in major advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles, a background that deeply influenced his artistic vision.
Inspired by the Pop Art movement and artists like Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, and Jasper Johns, Cottingham explores the intersection of art and commerce. His works often focus on typography and signage, using cropping and enlargement to emphasize isolated words or letters, creating both visual impact and psychological resonance. Words like “Art” or “Ha” become central themes, blending humor and abstraction.
In 1964, Cottingham moved to Los Angeles, where the unique urban environment spurred him to pursue painting full-time by 1968. Though often associated with Photorealism, Cottingham's focus lies more in subject matter than technique. His work evolved to include broader cityscapes, railroads, and later, vintage typewriters. Cottingham has exhibited globally, including at Documenta (Kassel), the Whitney Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. He has taught at the Art Center College of Design and the National Academy of Design. Today, he lives and works on a farm in western Connecticut.