La Bièvre

Although it was primarily his classical landscapes which established Robert’s reputation, Robert was also a faithful recorder of the topography of Paris. The Bi�vre was a small river which ran into the larger river Seine on Paris’ left bank. Although no longer visible today, in Robert’s day it was used for a variety of local industries, including textile dyers, distilleries, breweries, tanners, flour mills, a soap factory and twelve laundries. The quarter surrounding it was one of the poorest in Paris and notorious for its slums.

The painting is signed and dated lower right: .H ROBERT: 1768..