Etienne Robert (1875-1959) La Rade De Marseille Seen From l'Estaque

Bright, cheerful and historic because we can see the chimneys of the Tuileries, this harbor of Marseille from the heights of L'Estaque by the adopted Swiss but Provencal artist Etienne Robert. The work presented without frame is in very good condition and measures 46 cm by 65 cm, it is signed lower left.

Etienne Robert was Swiss, born in Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel on March 25, 1875, and died in Marseille at the end of July 1959, aged 84.

He was the youngest of a large family, whose father owned a small farm and worked at home in watchmaking. Etienne received training in drawing, painting, and calligraphy. Probably on the advice of one of his friends, he moved to Marseille where there was then a large Swiss colony. He worked as a calligrapher in a company, on the Cannebière, and practiced painting on location, with other painter friends. Little by little, he made painting his main activity. He lived with his Marseille wife in a small house at the top of Boulevard Vauban, in which he set up his studio.
Etienne Robert painted mainly Provence. Having a shed at the foot of the Garlaban, he radiated into the countryside in search of subjects. He would draw a sketch in situ, then return to his studio to produce the final paintings. He also painted Italy, Corsica, and a little Switzerland, which he found too green.
Etienne Robert painted until the age of 84 and left behind a large production, almost exclusively devoted to landscapes.