Paul-Andre Robert – Red Admiral or Vulkan Butterfly on an Aster Flower
Original watercolor painting by Swiss artist Paul-Andre Robert showing a red admiral butterfly – (Vanessa atalanta, Le Vulcain, Admiral, or Vulkan) alighting on a Aster amellus, the Berg-Aster or Michaelmas-daisy.
Millions of Red Admirals, known in Switzerland as Vulcains or Vukans, cross through Switzerland each year during their 3000 km migration between Scandinavia and southern Europe. Some also reproduce in Switzerland, where they are associated with the common nettle plant, or spend the winter here in the wooden crevices of old homes, or in cracks in trees.
November 10, 1901, Ried, Biel/Bienne - August 20, 1977, Orvin
Paul-André Robert (1901–1977) was a Swiss natural historian, painter, and illustrator, belonging to the renowned Robert family of artists from Biel/Bienne. Following in the footsteps of their father, Paul Robert and grandfather Aurèle Robert, Paul-André Robert and his brothers Philippe Robert and Theophile Robert all became artists. Their great uncle Leopold Robert was also a well known Swiss painter
Paul-Andre became known for his finely observed depictions of plants and insects, with a special focus on butterflies. His works, which combine scientific precision with artistic refinement, are highly regarded in both natural history circles and the art world. He illustrated multiple works on birds, mushrooms and insects including Les insectes, 1936-37, Les libellules, 1958, and Flore et Végétation des Alpes 1956-59.
Today, Paul-André Robert is celebrated as one of Switzerland’s foremost natural history painters of the 20th century.
