S. Rocco
probably c. 1754/1765
Medium
black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
Overall: 10.3 x 13.6 cm (4 1/16 x 5 3/8 in.) support: 15.6 x 21.5 cm (6 1/8 x 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Julius S. Held Collection, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
1984.3.41
Art Historical Context
Hubert Robert, the 18th-century French artist often called "Robert des Ruines" for his evocative depictions of ancient architecture and landscapes, created this intimate drawing titled *S.* around 1754–1765. Executed in black chalk on laid paper—a medium favored for its subtle tonal range and portability—this small sheet (10.3 × 13.6 cm) Robert's early mastery during his formative years in Rome, where he immersed himself in Italy's classical heritage from 1754 to 1764. The work likely evokes the Church of San Rocco, a Baroque landmark in Venice or a similar devotional site, reflecting Robert'...
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....