About the artist:

Alfred Robaut, born in Douai le May 20, 1830, died in Fontenay-sous-Bois on April 8, 1909, was a French designer and engraver. He is best known as the author of the first catalog of works by Eugène Delacroix and Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, painters whom he greatly admired. After brief studies, Alfred Robaut enters the printing office of his father in Douai. In 1853 he took over the printing works and married the eldest daughter of Constant Dutilleux, himself a painter and friend of Delacroix and Corot. Draftsman and engraver, Alfred Robaut devotes himself especially to the engraving of reproduction. He is also an art historian and publishes numerous articles. From the 1860s, Robaut devoted himself to the reproduction in facsimile of drawings and autographs of Delacroix. He collects testimonies and documents on the life and work of Corot and has his brother-in-law Charles Desavary photograph many of his works. In 1870, Corot moves in with him and painted in Douai are The Belfry of Douai. Étienne Moreau-Nélaton will complete the work of writing the catalog raisonné of Corot's works.