Having studies at both the Académie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Manuel Robbe discovered color etching through Eugène Delâtre. Encouraged by his friend Jacques Villon, and supported by his publisher Edmond Sagot, Robbe became an accomplished engraver specializing in the sugar-lift aquatint process and subsequently became one of the leaders of the color etching movement. Although his first color works were printed by Delâtre, he soon became an excellent technician himself and printed his own work using aquatint on a zinc plate printed “a la poupée.” Between 1898 and 1914, Robbe produced a large number of editions of usually 25-65 using a painterly style of rich, velvety blacks against creamy whites, pale silvery grays, misty pinks or more unusual colors such as browns, ochres, or bronze-greens.

Robbes favorite themes included the bourgeois modern women of the Belle Epoque performing their daily toilette or engaging in the social activities of the day – shopping, playing with children in the park or attending a gallery exhibition. He also depicted country scenes, landscapes, genre scenes and picturesque views of Paris.

 

Although his primary dealer was Sagot, he also was published by Kleinmann, Pierrefort and Petit. His works were exhibited at many important salons and in 1900 he received a gold medal for etching at the Exposition Universelle.

 

Although he achieved considerable success early in his career, by 1930 Manuel Robbe fell into relative obscurity despite attempts to revive his workshop after World War I, printing for decorative artists of the 20’s and 30’s including Louis Icart.