Hubert Robert

Claude Catroux, by 1958.

J. Nicolay, "De Prison d'Hubert Robert," in Connaissance des Arts, No. 74, April 1958, p. 40, reproduced p. 39,  no. 7;
C. Boulot, J. de Cayeux, and H. Moulin, Hubert Robert et la Révolution, exhibition catalogue, Valence 1989, p. 92, reproduced.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This charming painting seems to be in its original frame with its original backing board. The painting is slightly dirty and dusty, but is in lovely condition. If the varnish were freshened, the painting could be hung as is. It could also perhaps be lightly cleaned. There do not appear to be any retouches at present.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

In October of 1793, Robert was arrested and jailed by the Revolutionary authorities for having failed to renew his citizen's card.  He was held initially at the convent of Sainte-Pélagie and transferred in January of 1794 to the seminary of Saint-Lazare, both of which had been converted for use as a prison.  He was released in August of 1794 after the fall of Robespierre.  While imprisoned, he consoled himself by painting and drawing.  Materials on which to paint were scarce and he began to use the earthenware prison plates on which his food was served as his "canvases."  Many of these works, such as the present example, are signed with the artist's initials followed by the letters "S.L." for Saint-Lazare.  While some of these plates depict scenes of life within the prison, the majority are landscapes.  Other examples can be found in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris; Musée Lambinet, Versailles; Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris; and in numerous private collections.