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Paris, France
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew | Le Martyre de saint André

Hubert Robert

1733 - 1808

Project for the Place de la Concorde and for the Arc de Triomphe, looking towards the Champs-Elysées

Oil on canvas

Signed and dated towards lower centre on the fountain edge H.ROBERT.1808

59,8 x 72 cm ; 23 ½ by 28 ⅜ in.

____________________________________________

Hubert Robert

1733 - 1808

Projet pour l'aménagement de la Place de la Concorde et l'édification de l'arc de Triomphe avec vue sur les Champs-Elysées

Huile sur toile

Signé et daté en bas vers le centre sur la margelle de la fontaine H.ROBERT.1808

59,8 x 72 cm ; 23 ½ by 28 ⅜ in.

Provenance
With Galerie Cailleux, Paris, in 1973

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, Paris, 23 June 2004, lot 37

Where acquired by Monsieur Hubert Guerrand-Hermès

____________________________________________

Galerie Cailleux, Paris, en 1973 

Vente anonyme, Sotheby's, Paris, 23 juin 2004, lot 37

Où acquis par Monsieur Hubert Guerrand-Hermès

Literature
M. Roland-Michel, 'L'Art du Dix-huitième Siècle, A Taste for Classical Antiquity in Town-Planning Projects: Two Aspects of the Art of Hubert Robert', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. 114, no. 836, November 1972, pp. iv-v, pl. 4

____________________________________________

M. Roland-Michel, 'L'Art du Dix-huitième Siècle, A Taste for Classical Antiquity in Town-Planning Projects: Two Aspects of the Art of Hubert Robert', dans The Burlington Magazine, vol. 114, n° 836, novembre 1972, p. iv-v, pl. 4

Exhibited
Paris, Galerie Cailleux, Autour du néoclassicisme, 1973, no. 46

____________________________________________

Paris, Galerie Cailleux, Autour du néoclassicisme, 1973, n° 46

Catalogue note
Painted in 1808, the year of the artist’s death, the Project for the planning of the Place de la Concorde and the construction of the Arc de Triomphe with a view of the Champs-Elysées is not only one of Hubert Robert’s last works of art but is also a historical evocation of urban planning projects in the early part of the century.

The layout of the Place de la Concorde as described in this painting reflects two aims. The first was to erase the events of the French Revolution, while the second reflected the desire to erect a monument to Napoleonic glory (see the article on this subject by Marianne Roland Michel).

While it is known that the Marly Horses were present in this Parisian landscape at this time, since they were brought here in 1794, this depiction of the Place de la Concorde partly emanates from the artist’s imagination: its shape is accentuated by the attractive colonnade, behind a fountain with a developed decorative programme. The offset vanishing point offers a glimpse of a triumphal arch that had not yet been built.

It should be noted, however, that Hubert Robert’s work is not solely fantasy, since he was reflecting current concerns in Paris as well as the interests of an informed artist. In fact, the artist is here illustrating the various architects’ drawings, texts and plans which were being considered at this time, displaying both his curiosity and his eclectic imagination. In this context, in 1806 the Emperor envisaged a monumental fountain in this location, whose cost was estimated at 1,200,000 francs. Several plans were submitted and they were perhaps revived in Hubert Robert’s vision.

Among the principal projects considered for the capital, two of the Napoleonic urban planning proposals concerned the Place de la Concorde and the building of a monument to the glory of the army. This last plan was the subject of a competition in 1798 but was only confirmed in February 1806, when the Place de l’Etoile was chosen as its site. The Commission’s report emphasized that ‘a triumphal arch will create there, in the most majestic and picturesque way, a superb viewpoint of the imperial Château des Tuileries [...] although distant, it will always face the Victor.’ In the layout of his painted composition, Hubert Robert revisits the idea of a ‘superb viewpoint’ on the horizon.

In a sketchbook in a private collection, there is a drawing by Hubert Robert which has studies on the recto and verso (in various degrees of detail) for an arch flanked by the Marly Horses. The imposing monument is on a large scale, and its architecture as well as some of the groups of carved figures recall some elements that have similarities to the Arc de Triomphe as it was eventually built.

Fascinating because it goes beyond a simple architectural caprice, this work illustrates the thinking of the period, in terms of both urban planning and politics, which exalted the patriotic sentiment in architecture. It is also a touching example of the artist’s work shortly before his death.

____________________________________________

Peint en 1808, année de la mort du peintre, le Projet pour l'aménagement de la place de la Concorde et l'édification de l'Arc de Triomphe avec vue sur les Champs-Elysées illustre à la fois l’un des derniers témoignages artistiques d’Hubert Robert ainsi qu’un reflet historique des projets urbanistiques du début du siècle.

L’organisation de la place de la Concorde telle qu’elle est décrite sur cette toile est déterminée par deux ambitions. La première consiste à effacer les événements de la Révolution française tandis que la seconde est animée par le désir d’ériger un monument à la gloire napoléonienne (voir l'article consacré à ce sujet par Marianne Roland Michel).

Alors que la présence des Chevaux de Marly est attestée dans le paysage parisien de l’époque puisqu’apportés en 1794, cette description de la place de la Concorde est à attribuer en partie à l’imaginaire de l’artiste : sa silhouette est soulignée par la séduisante colonnade devant laquelle prend place une fontaine à la scénographie travaillée. La ligne de fuite décalée offre une percée vers un arc de triomphe qui n’était alors pas érigé.

Il est à noter cependant que le travail d’Hubert Robert ne relève pas d’une entière fantaisie puisqu’il reflète les préoccupations du Paris de l’époque et celles d’un peintre informé. En réalité, l'artiste illustre ici les différents dessins d'architecte, textes et projets qui furent envisagés à cette époque, mettant à l’honneur à la fois sa curiosité et son imagination éclectique. A ce titre, en 1806 l'Empereur envisageait d'y placer une fontaine monumentale dont le coût fut estimé à 1 200 000 francs. Plusieurs projets furent soumis à l'étude et la vision d’Hubert Robert en est peut-être une résurgence.

Deux des plans Napoléoniens d’aménagement urbanistique parmi les principaux projets étudiés pour la capitale concernent la place de la Concorde et l’érection d’un monument à la gloire des armées. C’est ce dernier projet qui fait l’objet d’une compétition en 1798 mais ne se concrétise qu’en février 1806 avec le choix de la place de l’Etoile comme écrin. Le rapport de la Commission souligne : « un arc d
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew | Le Martyre de saint André

Hubert Robert

1733 - 1808

Project for the Place de la Concorde and for the Arc de Triomphe, looking towards the Champs-Elysées

Oil on canvas

Signed and dated towards lower centre on the fountain edge H.ROBERT.1808

59,8 x 72 cm ; 23 ½ by 28 ⅜ in.

____________________________________________

Hubert Robert

1733 - 1808

Projet pour l'aménagement de la Place de la Concorde et l'édification de l'arc de Triomphe avec vue sur les Champs-Elysées

Huile sur toile

Signé et daté en bas vers le centre sur la margelle de la fontaine H.ROBERT.1808

59,8 x 72 cm ; 23 ½ by 28 ⅜ in.

Provenance
With Galerie Cailleux, Paris, in 1973

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, Paris, 23 June 2004, lot 37

Where acquired by Monsieur Hubert Guerrand-Hermès

____________________________________________

Galerie Cailleux, Paris, en 1973 

Vente anonyme, Sotheby's, Paris, 23 juin 2004, lot 37

Où acquis par Monsieur Hubert Guerrand-Hermès

Literature
M. Roland-Michel, 'L'Art du Dix-huitième Siècle, A Taste for Classical Antiquity in Town-Planning Projects: Two Aspects of the Art of Hubert Robert', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. 114, no. 836, November 1972, pp. iv-v, pl. 4

____________________________________________

M. Roland-Michel, 'L'Art du Dix-huitième Siècle, A Taste for Classical Antiquity in Town-Planning Projects: Two Aspects of the Art of Hubert Robert', dans The Burlington Magazine, vol. 114, n° 836, novembre 1972, p. iv-v, pl. 4

Exhibited
Paris, Galerie Cailleux, Autour du néoclassicisme, 1973, no. 46

____________________________________________

Paris, Galerie Cailleux, Autour du néoclassicisme, 1973, n° 46

Catalogue note
Painted in 1808, the year of the artist’s death, the Project for the planning of the Place de la Concorde and the construction of the Arc de Triomphe with a view of the Champs-Elysées is not only one of Hubert Robert’s last works of art but is also a historical evocation of urban planning projects in the early part of the century.

The layout of the Place de la Concorde as described in this painting reflects two aims. The first was to erase the events of the French Revolution, while the second reflected the desire to erect a monument to Napoleonic glory (see the article on this subject by Marianne Roland Michel).

While it is known that the Marly Horses were present in this Parisian landscape at this time, since they were brought here in 1794, this depiction of the Place de la Concorde partly emanates from the artist’s imagination: its shape is accentuated by the attractive colonnade, behind a fountain with a developed decorative programme. The offset vanishing point offers a glimpse of a triumphal arch that had not yet been built.

It should be noted, however, that Hubert Robert’s work is not solely fantasy, since he was reflecting current concerns in Paris as well as the interests of an informed artist. In fact, the artist is here illustrating the various architects’ drawings, texts and plans which were being considered at this time, displaying both his curiosity and his eclectic imagination. In this context, in 1806 the Emperor envisaged a monumental fountain in this location, whose cost was estimated at 1,200,000 francs. Several plans were submitted and they were perhaps revived in Hubert Robert’s vision.

Among the principal projects considered for the capital, two of the Napoleonic urban planning proposals concerned the Place de la Concorde and the building of a monument to the glory of the army. This last plan was the subject of a competition in 1798 but was only confirmed in February 1806, when the Place de l’Etoile was chosen as its site. The Commission’s report emphasized that ‘a triumphal arch will create there, in the most majestic and picturesque way, a superb viewpoint of the imperial Château des Tuileries [...] although distant, it will always face the Victor.’ In the layout of his painted composition, Hubert Robert revisits the idea of a ‘superb viewpoint’ on the horizon.

In a sketchbook in a private collection, there is a drawing by Hubert Robert which has studies on the recto and verso (in various degrees of detail) for an arch flanked by the Marly Horses. The imposing monument is on a large scale, and its architecture as well as some of the groups of carved figures recall some elements that have similarities to the Arc de Triomphe as it was eventually built.

Fascinating because it goes beyond a simple architectural caprice, this work illustrates the thinking of the period, in terms of both urban planning and politics, which exalted the patriotic sentiment in architecture. It is also a touching example of the artist’s work shortly before his death.

____________________________________________

Peint en 1808, année de la mort du peintre, le Projet pour l'aménagement de la place de la Concorde et l'édification de l'Arc de Triomphe avec vue sur les Champs-Elysées illustre à la fois l’un des derniers témoignages artistiques d’Hubert Robert ainsi qu’un reflet historique des projets urbanistiques du début du siècle.

L’organisation de la place de la Concorde telle qu’elle est décrite sur cette toile est déterminée par deux ambitions. La première consiste à effacer les événements de la Révolution française tandis que la seconde est animée par le désir d’ériger un monument à la gloire napoléonienne (voir l'article consacré à ce sujet par Marianne Roland Michel).

Alors que la présence des Chevaux de Marly est attestée dans le paysage parisien de l’époque puisqu’apportés en 1794, cette description de la place de la Concorde est à attribuer en partie à l’imaginaire de l’artiste : sa silhouette est soulignée par la séduisante colonnade devant laquelle prend place une fontaine à la scénographie travaillée. La ligne de fuite décalée offre une percée vers un arc de triomphe qui n’était alors pas érigé.

Il est à noter cependant que le travail d’Hubert Robert ne relève pas d’une entière fantaisie puisqu’il reflète les préoccupations du Paris de l’époque et celles d’un peintre informé. En réalité, l'artiste illustre ici les différents dessins d'architecte, textes et projets qui furent envisagés à cette époque, mettant à l’honneur à la fois sa curiosité et son imagination éclectique. A ce titre, en 1806 l'Empereur envisageait d'y placer une fontaine monumentale dont le coût fut estimé à 1 200 000 francs. Plusieurs projets furent soumis à l'étude et la vision d’Hubert Robert en est peut-être une résurgence.

Deux des plans Napoléoniens d’aménagement urbanistique parmi les principaux projets étudiés pour la capitale concernent la place de la Concorde et l’érection d’un monument à la gloire des armées. C’est ce dernier projet qui fait l’objet d’une compétition en 1798 mais ne se concrétise qu’en février 1806 avec le choix de la place de l’Etoile comme écrin. Le rapport de la Commission souligne : « un arc d

Collection Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, Vente du Soir

Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
76, rue du Faubourg
Saint-Honoré
Paris
France
75008
United Kingdom

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