Two Hubert Robert paintings from Madame Geoffrin offered to the museum by the Friends of the Louvre

Two paintings by Hubert Robert, once owned by Madame Geoffrin, were acquired by the Musée du Louvre through a preemptive purchase at Christie’s Paris on March 25. The works sold for €1,950,000 hammer (€2,439,000 with fees) and are being donated to the museum by the Société des Amis du Louvre. The paintings, described as 18th-century snapshots, were part of the historic Veil-Picard collection and will undergo restoration before being displayed.

This acquisition matters because it secures two masterpieces by a major 18th-century French artist for a national museum, preventing them from leaving public hands. The involvement of the Société des Amis du Louvre highlights the continued role of private patronage in enriching state collections. The paintings’ preemptive purchase also underscores the competitive art market for historically significant works tied to notable collectors like Madame Geoffrin.