Philippe Robert 1881-1930

Biographical profile

1881 born on April 30 in Biel, grew up in Ried near Biel, secondary school in Neuchâtel. 

1900-05  studies theology in Geneva, Lausanne and Berlin. Breaks off studies to devote himself to painting.

1905-07 travels in Germany, the Netherlands and France.

1906 marries Marthe Gagnebin.

1906/07 summer stay in Canton Valais working on Flore alpine (published 1907 by Atar, Geneva and Ernst Kuhn, Biel).

1908 watercolours for his book „Feuilles d‘automne“ (autumn leaves).

1909 self-publication of „Feuilles d‘automne“.

1910-11 works on „Fleurs du Jura“ (first published 1989).

1911/12 summer stay in Jorat/Orvin (Canton Berne). First important painting: Le défilé des bœufs (purchased by the Swiss Confederation, now in Neuchâtel Museum of Fine Arts).

from 1913 participation in national art exhibitions; numerous commissions for portraits.

1913/14 half-year stay in and near Rome.

from 1915 first allegorical picture with figures.   

1920 travels to Greece; landscape pictures.

1921/23 travels to England.

1922 mural for the Wilder-meth Children’s Hospital in Biel.

1923 painting the murals on the walls of the waiting room in Biel railway station; December: publication of his book Journal de peintre by Delachaux & Niestlé, Neuchâtel.

1924 stained-glass window for the French Church in Berne; builds own house in Leubringen (Evilard) Canton Berne; travels in Egypt (Alexandria, Cairo, Nile temples, oases). Countless religious and church paintings:

1924-25 renovation and fitting out of the church in Chaindon  (Canton Berne).

1925 three stained-glass windows for the French Church in Berne.

1924-27 stained-glass windows and frescoes for the church in Corcelles (Canton Neuchâtel).

1928 wall hangings (painted on linen) for the independent chapel in Môtier (Vully) and for the church in Reconvilier (Canton Berne); wall painting for the leprosy chapel in Pretoria (South Africa).

1928-30 lectures about his travels and about the Robert family of painters; essays La vie tragique de Léopold Robert (1794-1835) and Le peintre L.-Paul Robert; illustrates the Wedding Bible (published 1930 by Editions de la Concorde, Lausanne).

1929  stained-glass window for the church of Les Ponts-de-Martel (Canton Neuchâtel).

1930  wall painting for Solothurn Bürgerspital (Citizens’ Hospital).

1930 drowns on June 22 in the Old River Aare at Meienried (Canton Berne).