It was at the Abbey of En Calcat, in the Tarn region, that he found balance between his spiritual calling and his art, drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature.
He tirelessly sketched fauna, flora, and monastic scenes, giving life to sensitive and detailed drawings, illuminations, and watercolors.
His artistic career took an unexpected turn in 1941 after meeting Jean Lurçat, who immediately recognized Dom Robert's remarkable talent and encouraged him to explore tapestry art.
The monk-artist created his first tapestry that same year with the Tabard workshops in Aubusson, and his work continued unabated until his death, nearly fifty years later.
Dom Robert became a virtuoso in the art of combining colors. Much like a musical composition, his designs were first created in black and white. The motifs, paired with color codes and shades of wool, became musical notes, setting the tone for the piece.
The numbered tapestry cartoon served as a guide for the weavers, who gradually revealed the symphony of colors and their perfect harmony throughout the weaving process.
Dom Robert’s works reflect a deep love of nature and highlight his appreciation for the simplest and most modest aspects of life. Insects, wild grasses, and delicate umbels became for him a subject of study and fascination, much like Monet's water lilies.
He revisited these themes tirelessly in a sort of mystical quest: to capture as accurately as possible the incredible beauty of creation.
Among the iconic works of Dom Robert, "Le Soleil pour témoin" captures the full poetry of nature. Inspired by this masterful piece, the design studio of Maison Pierre Frey has created a thick jacquard, faithfully reflecting the spirit of the original artwork.
A reinterpretation of the magnificent tapestry created in 1978 and woven in Aubusson by the Goubely workshop, this heavy jacquard celebrates the lush vitality of nature.
Among his most iconic works, Le Soleil pour témoin encapsulates the poetic essence of nature. Inspired by this masterpiece, the design studio at Maison Pierre Frey has created a hand-tufted rug blending loop and wool velvet with exceptional precision.
Drawn from the Arbres aux Oiseaux series, the tapestry Californie, woven in 1958, also served as a source of inspiration for Pierre Frey’s creative team. Reimagined as a hand-tufted rug, it retains the full vitality of the artist’s lines, further demonstrating the timelessness of Dom Robert’s prolific body of work.
