Who painted The Robber from the Mountain?

The Robber from the Mountain was painted by Célestin Nanteuil in 1804.

Where can I see The Robber from the Mountain?

The Robber from the Mountain is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Robber from the Mountain?

The Robber from the Mountain is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of The Robber from the Mountain?

Museum-quality prints of The Robber from the Mountain are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Robber from the Mountain

Célestin Nanteuil , 1804

The Robber from the Mountain is a print by the Romanticist artist Célestin Nanteuil. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created circa 1804, Le Voleur de la Montagne is a print by French artist Célestin François Nanteuil.

Accession no.: 1940.1155
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1804, Le Voleur de la Montagne is a print by French artist Célestin François Nanteuil. The composition depicts a solitary, rugged figure perched on a craggy ledge, barefoot and clad in tattered garments, while a woman and infant stand behind him, gazing toward the man. Dark, storm‑laden skies and tangled vegetation frame the scene, emphasizing its dramatic atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a solitary outlaw set against a hostile landscape, suggesting themes of isolation, survival, and the tension between the individual and nature. The presence of the woman and child introduces a human element that contrasts with the robber’s harsh environment, inviting contemplation of vulnerability and protection within a perilous setting.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Romantic idiom, the print employs stark contrasts of light and shadow to heighten emotional intensity. Nanteuil’s line work captures the texture of weathered stone and tangled vines, while the figures are rendered with a raw, expressive vigor characteristic of early 19th‑century French Romanticism.

History & Provenance

Born in Rome to French parents linked to Joseph Bonaparte’s circle, Nanteuil trained at the École des Beaux‑Arts under Eustache‑Hyacinthe Langlois before joining Dominique Ingres’s studio. The Robber from the Mountain entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early Romantic prints.

Scherzi di Fantasia: Magician Pointing Out a Burning Head to Two Youths, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

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Artist & collection

Artist

Célestin Nanteuil

Célestin-François Nanteuil-Lebœuf, known as Célestin Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 11 July 1813 – 6 September 1873), was a French painter, engraver and illustrator closely tied to the Romantic movement in France.