Hubert Robert (Paris 1733-1808)

Robert visited the Villa Farnese at Caprarola during his time in Rome, although the present drawing was executed 'de souvenir' after the artist's return to Paris in 1765. The villa was famous for its architectural individuality, particularly the central circular court surrounded by a vaulted colonnade, which Robert shows in the present watercolour. A drawing in red chalk, showing the opposite view of the colonnade, was sold in these Rooms on 3 April 1984, lot 84. For further drawings of Caprarola by Robert, showing the staircase and the vaulted cellars respectively, see J. de Cayeux, Les Hubert Robert de la Collection Veyrenc au Musée de Valence, Valence, 1985, nos. 11 & 46.