Hubert Robert

Born. 22.05.1733 in Paris
Died. 15.04.1808 in Paris

French painter; Rococo and Classicism

About the artist

Hubert Robert was born on 22 May 1733 in Paris. His Parents wanted him to take up a position in the clergy and sent him to study at Paris University. After 6 years of study Robert decided not to follow their plan.  He became interested in art and learned from the sculptor Michel-Ange Slodtz before registering and being accepted at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture.

In 1754 he went to Rome and got a place at the Académie de France à Rome in Palazzo Mancini. He spent a total of eleven years in Rome and met many artists there who influenced him greatly. After his return to Paris in the late summer of 1765 he became a member of the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture working together with François Boucher.

During the French Revolution, Robert was captured in 1793 and imprisoned. He continued his work and produced a few paintings during his time there. After he was freed in 1794, he became curator of the National Museum of Art in Paris which was founded in 1793. A position he held for 8 years.

His paintings were regularly exhibited and admired at the Salon and he also participated in the redesign of the Park of Versailles.

Robert died on 15 April 1808 at his home in Paris.