Paul Mersch (son-in-law of the dealer, Charles Sedelmeyer), Paris;
His sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, May 28, 1909, lot 77, reproduced (as a pair with "Le Canal");
With Galerie Heinemann, Munich, 1912 (as a pair with "Le Canal");
With Gustave Keller, Paris, by whom sold to the ancestor of the present collector, February 8, 1922 (as one of a pair with "Le Canal)."  

Munich, Galerie Heinemann, Französische Kunst des XIX. Jahrhundert, March 1912, no. 52 (reproduced in catalogue).

P. de Nolhac, Hubert Robert 1733-1808, Paris 1910, p. 163.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has been lined using wax as an adhesive. This is not an affective lining yet it is reversible and relining the canvas would effectively lay down the cracks and the visible original canvas join, which runs vertically though the right side of the painting. The paint layer has been under-cleaned in some areas and over cleaned in others. In the sky there are vestiges of old varnish and dirt here and there, yet for the most part the condition of the sky seems to be quite good beneath all of the dirt. In the trees on the left there is some visible abrasion, particularly around the lighter colored tree above the figures in the center, but there does not appear to be much retouching and if the picture could be safely cleaned, the retouches and the cleaning will produce considerable improvements. On the right side abrasion is more evident in the rocks, which is most likely evidence of a more vigorous attempt to clean the picture. In the figures in the boat, the water and the rocks in the lower left and right, the condition is reasonable in most areas. Although these pictures very often exhibit condition issues, mainly given the fact that they have been treated more decoratively in the past, this picture will have a good future if it were to be restored in a more conscientious fashion.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The present painting, traditionally called, The Waterfall, is a pendant to The Canal, which was last recorded with Newhouse Gallery, New York (see figure 1).

The costumes of the figures here, particularly the white dress of the lady gesturing over the artist's shoulder, suggest that this canvas was executed circa 1800, when the Directoire style, which lasted from roughly 1793-1804, was at its height.  This painting is testament to the universal and lasting appeal of Robert's art.  Even after the Re🍷volution, the artist to continued to receive major commissions for decorative schemes from such patro🍨ns as Legendre d'Onzembray in France, and Count Stroganoff, Catherine II, and the Yusupov in Russia.

This work will be included in the forthcoming critical catalogue of the paintings of Hubert Robert being prepared by The Wildenstei𒁃n Institute.