Couple by a Fountain

1754–1765 · 工作地

Rome

1754–1765

Roman circle: Panini, Piranesi, Fragonard

In Rome Robert studied perspective under the veduta master Giovanni Paolo Panini, met Piranesi, and became friends with Jean-Honoré Fragonard and the Abbé de Saint-Non; with Fragonard he drew from nature in Rome and its environs and stayed for long periods at the Villa d'Este in Tivoli.

1765

Return to Paris

After eleven years in Italy Robert returned to Paris, where his success was swift.

1767

Debut at the Paris Salon

Robert presented thirteen paintings and numerous drawings of ruined classical architecture at the Salon, winning critical acclaim; Diderot wrote: "The ideas that ruins awaken in me are grand." He continued to take part in the Salons regularly until 1798.

1778

Keeper of the Royal Museum

When the decision was made to open a museum in the Louvre, Robert was appointed keeper of the Royal Museum, charged with preparing the masterpieces of the royal collection for exhibition. Until 1793 he lived in the Grande Galerie of the Louvre.

29 October 1793

Arrest during the Revolution

The revolutionary surveillance committee arrested Robert on suspicion of disloyalty and imprisoned him in Sainte-Pélagie; on 31 January 1794 he was transferred to Saint-Lazare. In prison he drew a great deal, painted scenes of prison life, and decorated plates for sale.