- ‘Flamenco art arises from the background of the artist. Whether through singing, the basis of this art, guitar or dance, it brings us moments of joy, grace, resigned pain or rage, but also elegance, sensuality and often of great depth’
By Andrew Atkinson
René Robert, a great connoisseur of flamenco, who portrayed artists such as Paco de Lucía, Camarón de la Isla, Sara Baras, Vicente Amigo, Eva Yerbabuena, Marina Heredia and Estrella Morente, has died in tragic circumstances in the Paris neighbourhood where he lived.
Photographer Robert froze to death after falling to the ground – and being ignored for over 9 hours until a homeless passerby called the emergency services.
Journalist and friend, Michel Mompontet, said that Robert had been ‘murdered by indifference’ after spending nine hours on the ground.
“The photographer developed an irreplaceable testimonial work of Flemish art of the 20th century. Moved by his love and his deep understanding of the Hispanic tradition, he was a faithful collaborator of this center,” said sources from Cervantes, collaborator of the Nantes Spanish Film Festival in the framework of which the exhibition ‘The camera to the rhythm of flamenco’ was held in 2019.
Swiss photographer Robert, born in 1936, died of hypothermia on January 19, aged 84, after falling to the ground in a central street in Paris and not being helped by any passerby.
The Cervantes Institute in Paris, with which Robert worked on several occasions, lamented the news of his loss, which he received with great pain and sadness.
Robert selected his most emblematic works with great generosity, dedication and love of work.
“His look at him is now perpetuated in his work and his absence cannot leave us indifferent without questioning ourselves,” said Cervantes.
Throughout his life, Robert exhibited in numerous exhibitions in cities such as Paris, Rome, Luxembourg and Nîmes.
Mompontet said Robert spent nine hours on the ground not being able to get up – until a homeless man called the emergency services.
Robert was taken to hospital, but the health services could not save his life.
“Flamenco art arises from the background of the artist. Whether through singing, the basis of this art, guitar or dance, it brings us moments of joy, grace, resigned pain or rage, but also elegance, sensuality and often of great depth”, said Robert, describing his work.
Caption: René Robert: Flamenco art arises from the background of the artist whether through singing, basis of this art, guitar or dance.
