La Fontaine de la Liberté

The drawing is related to a picture from the Sigismond Bardac collection (fig. 1) sold in Paris, 10-11 May 1920, lot 35b, illustrated. Both painting and drawing were executed when Robert was imprisoned during the Terror at jail Saint-Lazare, between October 1793 and January 1794. The former is inscribed on the fountain 'Fons Libertatis' and alludes to the revolutionary theme originated by Jean-Jacques Rousseau of the People drinking at the fountain of Liberty whence sprouts the tree of Liberty.
A red chalk version of this composition is in the Musée de la Révolution française in Vizille, P. Bordes and A. Chevalier, op. cit., no. 68, illustrated.