Artwork

Bust of a Roman Woman and Statue of a Roman Man

Bust of a Roman Woman and Statue of a Roman Man, by Hubert Robert, chalk, 1760
Bust of a Roman Woman and Statue of a Roman Man, by Hubert Robert, chalk, 1760

Bust of a Roman Woman and Statue of a Roman Man is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Hubert Robert. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This drawing is called Bust of a Roman Woman and Statue of a Roman Man.
It was made with black chalk on paper.
The artist, Robert, Hubert, likely created it between 1754 and 1765, which is interesting because this time period is a bit earlier than when Romanticism typically started.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the movement: Romanticism.

Overview

This drawing, created by Hubert Robert around 1760, is a representation of two sculptural figures using black chalk on laid paper. The work showcases Robert's skill in rendering detailed, monochromatic images.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a bust of a Roman woman and a statue of a Roman man, reflecting Robert's fascination with classical antiquity. These figures are likely inspired by his studies of ancient Roman sculpture during his time in Italy.

Technique & Style

Executed in black chalk on laid paper, the drawing demonstrates Robert's ability to capture the subtleties of sculptural form through a range of tonal values. The monochromatic style emphasizes the textures and details of the depicted figures.

Context

Created between 1754 and 1765, this drawing predates the typical emergence of Romanticism, a style with which Robert is associated. It suggests that elements of Romanticism were present in his work before the movement gained prominence.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Hubert Robert

Artist

Hubert Robert

Hubert Robert (French pronunciation: ; 22 May 1733 – 15 April 1808) was a French painter in the school of Romanticism, noted especially for his landscape paintings and capricci, or semi-fictitious picturesque depictions of ruins in Italy…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.