Manuel Robbe

The influences on Robbe were varied. Renoir’s influence is apparent in his upper middle class women of the Belle Epoque, especially in scenes of women in their boudoirs, with children in the parks, and playing the piano, in the promenades and the streets where the essence of happiness is expressed.

Born in Paris on December 16, 1872, he was descended from a northern French family from the town of Berthune. He studied painting and etching, and soon became an accomplished engraver, specializing in the medium of aquatint. He exhibited regularly at the Salons of the Societé des Artistes Français. Edmond Sagot, one of the most significant publishers of prints at the turn of the 20th century, was a great admirer of Manuel Robbe, and regularly published color prints by him.