Two Studies of the Statue of Alexander and Bucephalus [verso]

Art Historical Context

In the intimate world of 18th-century sketchbooks, Hubert Robert's *Two Studies of the Statue of Alexander and Bucephalusverso]* (probably c. 1754/1765) captures the artist's fascination with classical antiquity. Created with graphite and black chalk on paper, this delicate drawing—measuring just 7.4 x 10.7 cm—features quick, expressive studies of the ancient statue depicting Alexander the Great with his legendary warhorse Bucephalus Robert, a French painter often called "Robert des Ruines" for his evocative landscapes of crumbling Roman architecture, likely made this during his formative years in Rome (1754–1765), where he immersed himself in the city's ancient sculptures. The modest scale and mixed media highlight Robert's masterful technique: graphite for precise lines and shading, black chalk for soft tonal modeling that brings the marble forms to life. As a verso study, it reveals the spontaneity of an artist's private process, transforming a heroic classical subject into fluid, observational sketches. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Julius S. Held Collection (Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund), this work exemplifies the Neoclassical reverence for Greco-Roman heroism while foreshadowing Robert's signature blend of history and fantasy. Today, it invites visitors to ponder Alexander's bond with Bucephalus—symbol of loyalty and conquest—through Robert's eyes, bridging ancient myth with Enlightenment curiosity.

About the Artist

Hubert Robert · 1733–1808

Hubert Robert, born on May 22, 1733, in Paris, emerged from a modest background; his father, Nicolas Robert, served the influential Choiseul family, whose patronage shaped the young artist's path. After completing his studies at the Jesuit Collège de Navarre in 1751, he entered the atelier of sculptor Michel-Ange Slodtz, who taught him design and perspective before encouraging a shift to painting....