Collection: Ferdinand Victor Léon Roybet

Roybet gained widespread acclaim with his painting The Jester (1866), which was purchased by Emperor Napoleon III, catapulting him to prominence. His signature style, characterized by richly textured brushwork, dramatic lighting, and exquisitely detailed period costumes, resonated with collectors and connoisseurs alike. His works often depicted gallant cavaliers, noblemen, and courtiers, rendered with a remarkable sense of realism and theatricality. Drawing inspiration from the Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, Roybet infused his paintings with a striking luminosity and sumptuous color palette that set his work apart within the genre of historical realism.