Paul André Robert – Still Life with Christmas Roses
Helleborus niger, the black hellebore, is an evergreen perennial flowering plant commonly known as the Christmas Rose because of an old legend that it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give to the Christ child. Traditionally it was believed that strewing the flowers on one’s doorstep could ward off evil.
Oil on canvas, signed middle left. Canvas dimensions 24 × 41 cm, framed dimensions 65 × 46 cm.
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.
