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| Hubert Robert Ruins of a Doric Temple 1783 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Capriccio with Equesterian Statue of Marcus Aurelius and Medici Venus 1789 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
The several canvases by Hubert Robert (1733-1808) seen here are still no more than a fraction of the paintings by this artist at the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. Robert was an on-again off-again favorite with Denis Diderot (1713-1784) who acted as unofficial art adviser to his Russian friend, Catherine the Great. This fact alone would seem to explain the abundance of Hubert Robert canvases at the Hermitage – except for the fact that there is a roughly equal number of them also at the Prado in Madrid and in England's Royal Collection, not to mention the Louvre. The dignity and orderliness of Robert's ruins and bucolic vistas opened every courtly market to his work. It was ironic that this happened at the very end of the age when courtiers could still decide what kind of art received favor.
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| Hubert Robert Capriccio with Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius and Colosseum 1758 wash drawing Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Artists among Ancient Ruins 1796 wash drawing Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Landscape with Stairs and Obelisk 1770s oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Pool with Obelisk 1773 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Fantasy Ruins with Canal 1783 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Pool surrounded by Colonnade 1760s oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Landscape with Aqueduct in Mountains 1780s oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert The Green Wall ca. 1790-95 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Landscape with Stone Bridge ca. 1785 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Cypresses 1773 oil on canvas Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Landscape with Statue of Isis 1762 drawing Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |
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| Hubert Robert Corner of a Park 1763 drawing Hermitage, Saint Petersburg |