Evenings in Rome
1763/64
Medium
Suite of eight etchings in black on ivory laid paper, with two additional etchings in black on ivory laid paper, all ten laid down on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Average of images of the suite of eight: 12.9 × 8.7 cm (5 1/8 × 3 7/16 in.); Averages of plate/primary supports of the suite of eight: 13.7 × 9.8 cm (5 7/16 × 3 7/8 in.); Image/sheet, trimmed within platemark; lower left print: 6 × 9 cm (2 3/8 × 3 9/16 in.); Image/sheet, trimmed within platemark; lower right print: 4 × 5.5 cm (1 5/8 × 2 3/16 in.); Secondary support: 37 × 26.5 cm (14 5/8 × 10 7/16 in.)
Classification
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
205646
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Hubert Robert, the acclaimed 18th-century French artist often called "Robert des Ru" for his evocative depictions of ancient architecture, created *Evenings in Rome* his formative years in Italy (1763/64). A Prix de Rome winner, Robert himself in the Eternal City's grandeur from 1755 to 1764, sketching its twilight vistas that blended classical ruins with dramatic lighting. This suite captures that magic, offering visitors a window into his early mastery of atmospheric landscapes. Comprising eight principal etchings plus two additional ones—all in black ink on fine ivory laid paper, then mounted on a larger sheet—the work exemplifies etching's precision. Robert incised lines into copper plates, allowing acid to etch delicate details of Roman facades bathed in evening glow. The modest scale (images averaging about 5 × 3½ inches) invites intimate viewing, while variations in trimming highlight the artisanal nature of 18th-century printmaking, prized for reproducing views to a wider audience beyond oil paintings. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, *Evenings in Rome* reflects the Grand Tour era's fascination with antiquity, influencing Neoclassicism and Romanticism. These twilight scenes not only showcase Robert's virtuosity but also evoke the poignant beauty of fading empires, making them a delightful highlight for any virtual museum stroll.
About the Artist
Hubert Robert · 1733–1808
Hubert Robert, born on May 22, 1733, in Paris, emerged from a modest background; his father, Nicolas Robert, served the influential Choiseul family, whose patronage shaped the young artist's path. After completing his studies at the Jesuit Collège de Navarre in 1751, he entered the atelier of sculptor Michel-Ange Slodtz, who taught him design and perspective before encouraging a shift to painting....