author
Robert H. Hobart (Robert Henry Hobart) Cust
1861–1940
An English art historian and translator, he devoted much of his work to the Italian Renaissance, especially Siena and the painter Sodoma. His books helped introduce readers to artists such as Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci in a clear, accessible way.
1 Audiobook
The Pavement Masters of Siena (1369-1562)
by Robert H. Hobart (Robert Henry Hobart) Cust
About the author
Born on May 13, 1861, Robert Henry Hobart Cust was an English art historian, author, and translator. Records from the National Gallery note that he studied at Eton, took a BA at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later received an MA from Magdalen College, Oxford. He traveled widely in Europe while researching the books he produced from the late 1880s into the early 20th century.
Cust became known for writing on Italian Renaissance art, with a particular interest in Siena and in the artist Sodoma. Reference sources describe him as an early scholar of both Sodoma and the city of Siena, and his published works also included studies of Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
He later lived in Hampstead and died on July 19, 1940. Archival records preserved by the National Gallery show that his papers survive today, reflecting a life closely tied to art history, research, and writing.