Object of the Day: “The Esplanade at Versailles” by Robert J. Inness

We discovered the paintings of Robert J. Inness through his wife, Yvette Inness, a friend of my family who operates an excellent booth at Forestwood Antique Mall in Dallas. We quickly became enchanted by Mr. Inness’ remarkable talent, his brilliant use of color and his ability to capture the spirit of the places he depicts in his scenes.


Of the four Robert J. Inness paintings in my collection, two are quite large. One depicts Belgium’s beautiful Hôtel de Ville, the other is this monumental painting of the Esplanade at Versailles.

I was attracted to this painting initially for several reasons—the color palette, the subject matter and the composition. I love the fact that the majority of the canvas is comprised of this dramatic, misty sky which embraces the Palace of Versailles, putting the man-made beauty of the structure into perspective against the forces of nature. The organic feel of the composition is reinforced by the scurrying human figures—rushing about under their umbrellas in a manner which reminds me of the film, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. The Palace itself is almost abstracted, but Inness presents a realism through his cunning use of lighting which results in a depth and substance that humanizes the building while retaining its sense of grandeur.

Inness’ use of color is exceptional. Rich blues anchor the top and bottom of the canvas as the colors of the umbrellas provide a counterpoint to the slickness of the wet sheen of the ground. The esplanade slices through the canvas, reminding us both of the monumentality of the edifice and its place in history.

This is truly a stunning work of art, and one which I’m pleased to display in my home. If you’re ever in the Dallas area, I’d recommend a visit to Yvette. Not only is she a lovely person, but it’ll give you a chance to see some of Mr. Inness’ outstanding work.

Object of the Day: “Hôtel de Ville” by Robert J. Inness

Some of you asked me about this painting after my article about “picture lights.” This large work depicts the Hôtel de Ville (or, in Dutch, “Staidhuis”) in Brussels, Belgium. Robert J. Inness is a contemporary painter, living in Dallas, known for his lush landscapes and cityscapes. I have collected four of his paintings, and have had the honor of meeting him.


Inness’ work is characterized by loose brushstrokes and a bold use of color. He is particularly adept at using dramatic skies as soaring backgrounds for the buildings and scenes that he paints. His ability to replicate the most minute architectural details by manipulating his brushstrokes is particularly remarkable. Throughout a lifetime of world traveling, Inness has had the chance to sketch and paint the most beautiful vistas on the earth. His eye translates these images into magnificently fluid scenes of palpable energy.

The Hôtel de Ville hangs in my living room, directly across from another of his works—a painting of the Esplanade at Versailles. They book-end the room with their lush colors and unexpected feeling of life.

The work of Robert J. Inness can be found in Dallas at the Forestwood Antique Mall in the booth operated by his wife, Yvette. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Object of the Day: A Belgian Cityscape

The last in my collection of paintings by the talented Robert J. Inness shows the City Hall of Malines, Belgium. Malines—though French in origin--is actually the name used by English speaking people to refer to this city. The town is officially called Mechelen and is in the province of Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. Mechelen is one of the major historical seats of Flemish art and has long been associated with magnificent painting, sculpture, wood-carving, lace and tapestry.


Here, we see the City Hall, resplendent with bold and colorful banners. Inness has captured the ornate façade of the edificice without overburdening the canvas with thick paint. Again, he shows us scale by introducing two figures on the building’s steps. Also jewel-like, this painting is another offering by Robert J. Inness which expertly captures the spirit of the location. In portraying a city known for its art, he has given us a painting of unsurpassed delicacy and beauty.

Object of the Day: “Pienza Near Montepulciano, Italia” by Robert J. Inness

I’ve mentioned the artist Robert J. Inness before. I’ve collected a few of his paintings over the years and am always impressed by his ability to capture the essence of a place. His attractive and colorful landscapes and cityscapes are brilliant representations of the spirit of the location.


This painting of “The Duomo” in the center of the square of the Italian town of Pienza is another mesmerizing study in the beauty of nature wedded to the ingenuity of man. Here, we see the façade of the town’s church—one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture. In fact, Pienza is considered to be the “touchstone of Renaissance urbanism.”

Inness often uses the sky to dramatic effect. This painting sets the façade of the cathedral against a calm sky. The base of the cathedral and its Germanic campanile are washed in shadow—the scale of the building reinforced by the silhouettes of a couple—thus making the architecture seem jewel-like. The whole of the scene is presented as seen through an archway of the loggia in front of the cathedral, thereby giving the painting an intimacy which belies the grandeur of the scene.

Such cleverness in composition reminds us of masters like Canaletto and Vermeer who presented urban scenes as if they were precious gems. These paintings call to us to reevaluate the way in which we view the world we see each day.

Recommended Reading: Royal Palaces

Thinking about Church’s monumental Hudson River Valley home, Olana, which is the quintessential American palace, reminded me of a book I was given a couple of Christmases ago. Royal Palaces, edited by Marcello Morelli, is a photographic journey through over thirty palaces around the world. With thoughtfully written historical articles to accompany each place, this book offers gorgeous photos of some of the most stunning castles and palaces ever built. Everything from Versailles and Buckingham palace to Het Loo Palace and The Castle of Prague is photographed in crisp, brilliant detail. Not only do you get your fill of exquisite architecture, but also of painting, sculpture and the decorative arts. The best part about this book is that it reminds us that our own homes—no matter how modest—are and should be our own palaces and must be treated accordingly.


Above painting: Esplanade at Versailles by Robert J. Inness, from my own collection.