ROBERT, Nicolas (French, 1614-1685), Female Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) [Virginia Quial]

ROBERT, Nicolas (French, 1614-1685).
Female Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) [Virginia Quial].
Pencil, watercolor and gouache, on vellum, with gold border.
ca. 1675.
12" x 13 1/4" vellum, 24 5/8" x 20 5/8" framed.

Provenance: Collection of Marcel Jeanson.

The northern bobwhite is native to the American Atlantic coast from Virginia to northern Florida.

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Nicolas Robert was one of the greatest natural history artists of the 17th century. His work established standards combining scientific accuracy and aesthetic appeal that influenced generations of artists and won the French royal family’s respect and patronage. Robert created a magnificent body of work for the French Crown. He was the first significant contributor to a collection of delicate watercolors on vellum that collectively became known as the Velins du Roi (the King’s Vellums). The watercolors Robert completed under Gaston d’Orleans and then Louis XIV for the royal collection fed the interest and provided the inspiration for the great masters of botanical and ornithological art who followed: Jean Joubert, Nicholas Marechal, Gerard van Spaendonck and Pierre-Joseph Redouté.

Robert’s first major commission was provided by Baron Sainte-Maure in 1641, to create the celebrated Guirlande de Julie, a book of watercolors on vellum of flowers inscribed with madrigals, which was to be a gift to the Baron’s betrothed, Julie d’ Agennes. In 1645, the artist entered the service of Gaston d’Orléans, the brother of Louis XIII. A passionate botanist, Gaston employed several artists to make watercolors of the rare plants that he had assembled in his garden at Blois. At first, Daniel Rabel seems to have been the principal artist, but Robert’s superior talent was quickly recognized. By the time of Gaston’s death in 1660, Robert was responsible for the contents of five large folio albums of vélins or vellums. After Gaston’s death, Robert was invited by Louis XIV to continue his work in Paris at the Jardin du Roi and Versailles. The King’s minister, Colbert, who appointed Robert Peintre ordinaire du Roi pour la miniature in 1666, added to this collection through a contract requiring the artist to paint a minimum of 54 vélins every year. Undoubtedly, Robert must have employed studio assistants to execute, at least in part, some of the seven hundred vélins produced, including Claude Aubriet (1665-1742) and Jean Joubert (1643-1707).