Robert Bruce (1911–1980) was a Canadian painter, illustrator, muralist, and printmaker known for his dynamic compositions and vibrant use of color. Born in Grandview, Manitoba, he studied at the Winnipeg School of Art under L.L. Fitzgerald before continuing his training in London and Paris. During World War II, Bruce served as a war artist, documenting the human effort of Canada’s northern expedition, Exercise Musk-ox. Post-war, he moved to New York, where his illustrations appeared in Life, The New York Times, Harper’s, and Maclean’s. Returning to Canada, he became a respected educator at the University of Manitoba School of Art, where he influenced a generation of artists. An avid outdoorsman, Bruce’s love for movement and nature shaped his art. After retiring in 1976, he divided his time between Falcon Lake and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he passed away in 1980. His legacy was celebrated in 2004 with a retrospective at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.