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Hubert Robert

Le Sarcophage

1763–64
etching

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In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

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FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Derived from his own pen-and-ink drawings, this suite of etchings features fictional characters situated near recognizable buildings and statues in Rome. On the title page, Robert dedicated the suite to Marguerite Le Compte, who visited Rome in 1764 in the company of the wealthy author and art enthusiast Claude Henri Watelet. Both Le Compte and Watelet were amateur etchers, and they socialized with a group that included artists and printmakers centered at the academies in Italy. Robert’s dedication was likely motivated by the hope of future patronage from Le Compte. She may be the generous woman with a hand muff depicted in The Ancient Temple, the fifth scene in this series.

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More by Hubert Robert

The Bathing PoolThe Bathing PoolThe Mouth of a CaveThe Mouth of a CaveThe DanceThe DanceBridge over a CascadeBridge over a CascadeWandering MinstrelsWandering MinstrelsA Colonnade in RuinsA Colonnade in RuinsThe Landing PlaceThe Landing PlaceThe FountainsThe Fountains

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