Hubert Robert
(1733–1808)
Draftsman in an Italian Church
Dated in red chalk, at lower left corner, 1763.
Red chalk
12 15/16 x 17 5/8 inches (329 x 448 mm)
Thaw Collection
1981.74
Item description:
This sheet shows a young artist sketching Domenichino's fresco Flagellation of St. Andrew in the chapel of St. Andrew adjacent to S. Gregorio al Celio, in Rome. Copying old masters was common practice for French artists in Italy. The depiction of artists sketching was popular with Robert and his contemporaries and reflects the influence of Charles Joseph Natoire, director of the French Academy in Rome.