The Fountains
Hubert Robert·1787–88
Historical Context
Hubert Robert's The Fountains (1787–88) at the Art Institute of Chicago is part of the series of decorative panels he painted for the dining room of the Hôtel de Salm in Paris — a commission that brought together his expertise in architectural fantasy with the refined decorative requirements of neoclassical interior design. Robert, called 'Robert des Ruines' for his lifelong fascination with ancient architectural fragments, transformed the classical ruin from a melancholy meditation on decay into a vision of poetic beauty in which broken columns, cascading water, and lush vegetation created an ideal landscape of cultivated nostalgia. The fountain subject allowed him to combine architecture, water, and human figures in the atmospheric compositions that were his commercial specialty.
Technical Analysis
The monumental canvas shows Robert's skill at integrating architecture, water, and figures in a unified decorative composition. Warm stone tones and the play of light on cascading water create an atmospheric scene of characteristic elegance.
Provenance
Commissioned with its pendants (1900.382, 1900.383, 1900.384) by Jean Joseph, marquis de Laborde (died 1794), in 1787 for the Château de Méréville (near Etampes); the château was sold by Mme de Laborde, 1819 [see Simone de Lassus, “Quelques Détails inédits sur Méréville,” Bulletin de la Société de l’histoire de l’art français, année 1976 (1978), p. 286 n. 1]; the château was owned successively by: M. Ters and Mme d’Espagnat (sold 1824); comte de Saint-Roman (sold 1866); duc de Sessa (sold 1868); M. and Mme Beleys (sold 1869); la Société Cail (sold 1874); M. Heddle (sold 1889); Adam Natanson (sold 1890); M. Hériot (sold 1896); Prudent Carpentier (sold 1897, at which time the contents of the house were dispersed and the paintings probably sold) [See Simone de Lassus 1978, cited above; a letter from Bernard Binvel to Susan Wise dated May 5, 1987 states, perhaps erroneously, that Hériot sold the paintings in July of 1896]. M. L. François; sold Galerie George Petit, Paris, June 13, 1900, no. 3, to Durand-Ruel, acting on behalf of the Art Institute, with funds provided by William G. Hibbard, 1900.
