Robert Büchtger Germanovich, born in the vibrant city of St. Petersburg, hailed from a family rooted in Courland German lineage. His formative years unfolded in Riga, where he imbibed knowledge at the esteemed Polytechnic Gymnasium. Drawn to the arts, Robert embarked on an academic journey at the Imperial Academy of Arts. This was merely the beginning; his artistic fervor took him to the Dusseldorf Academy of Arts and subsequently, the Munich Academy of Arts. There, he was privileged to be under the tutelage of renowned artists Schleich and Roubaud.
In 1887, Paris called, followed by a sojourn in Breslau. Here, Robert thrived as a freelance artist. Beyond art, Robert harbored a passion for figure skating, clinching accolades including the coveted Bayern Championship. His wanderlust was evident as he traversed Russia, immersing himself in the diverse cultures of the empire. The Caucasus beckoned, and he returned with an array of artworks. Aligning with Roubaud, Robert showcased his masterpieces at exhibitions. While Munich became his home post-1888, he remained interconnected with the Russian artistic fraternity, making his presence felt at imperial academic exhibitions.
Robert’s artistic lens predominantly focused on landscapes, with a penchant for encapsulating the essence of animals. Russian motifs frequently reverberated in his creations. By 1920, the serene Rottenbuch was home, and the lakes of Bavaria, particularly during the golden hour, became a recurrent theme in his paintings. His life’s curtain call happened in Munich, and he found his final resting place at the Waldfriedhof cemetery. For aficionados of his work, the Rios Art Gallery offers a digital platform to acquire Robert’s exquisite paintings.
