André Jacob Roubo The Master Craftsman

André Jacob Roubo was a true master craftsman, renowned for his exceptional skill and attention to detail. He was born in 1739 in Paris, France.

Roubo's expertise in cabinetmaking was unmatched, and he spent years honing his craft. He worked tirelessly to create exquisite pieces that showcased his mastery of the trade.

As a master craftsman, Roubo understood the importance of precision and patience. His work was a testament to his dedication and commitment to excellence.

Roubo's legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime, inspiring generations of craftsmen and woodworkers.

André Jacob Roubo was born in Paris in 1739, the son and grandson of fellow woodworkers. He became his father's apprentice at the age of 11 in 1750.

Roubo was literate and taught himself various topics, including mathematics and design, despite having a relatively poor upbringing. His dedication to learning attracted the attention of several professionals, including the architect Jean-François Blondel.

Blondel waived Roubo's tuition fees, and he spent five years studying while also working for his father during the day. Roubo received the title of Master in 1770 upon publication of the first part of L'Art du Menuisier.

He designed and supervised the construction of the great domes of the halls Wheat and Cloth, and a monumental staircase to the hotel of the Marquis de Marbeuf. This impressive work showcased his exceptional skills as a carpenter.

Roubo's treatise, L'Art du Menuisier, was published in four volumes between 1769 and 1775, with the supplementary work L'Art du layetier being published in 1782.

André Jacob Roubo's workbench design has been replicated by modern-day woodworkers, who appreciate its crucial role in a pre-table-saw era.

The Art of the Carpenter, Roubo's three-volume set, contains over 300 illustration plates and more than 340 pages, with 389 plates engraved by Roubo himself.

Roubo's workbench design has been a game-changer for woodworkers, providing explanation and details that were previously unknown.

His workbench design, as seen in the Roubo Workbench, features a unique layout and tool setup that allows for efficient and precise woodworking.

The Roubo Workbench has been recreated by woodworkers, including Ryan Van Dyke, who has shared his process and features of his finished bench online.

Roubo's work, The Art of the Carpenter, is considered the best traditional treated wood joinery, even today, and has been republished several times since its original publication between 1769 and 1782.

André Jacob Roubo continued to produce significant works in his later life. He published a comprehensive four-part treatise, L’Art du Menuisier, between 1769 and 1775, with a supplementary work, L'Art du layetier, published in 1782.

The treatise, reprinted in 1977 and 1982, covers various aspects of traditional joinery, including building joinery, specialty woodwork, and garden woodwork. It consists of 1316 pages and 383 copper engraved plates, with Roubo designing every plate and engraving 181 of them himself.

L’Art du Menuisier is divided into four volumes, each focusing on a different aspect of joinery. The volumes are:

Roubo's work on L’Art du Menuisier is considered the best guide for traditional joinery, even today. It develops and discusses in detail the technical knowledge of carpentry that was prevalent during Louis XV's reign.

In addition to L’Art du Menuisier, Roubo published a treatise on the construction of theatres and theatrical mechanics in 1777, titled Traité de la construction des théâtres et des machines théâtrales. This work contains 66 pages of text and 10 engravings, but unfortunately, only the first part was published, despite the second part being declared ready to print in 1777.

André Jacob Roubo's magnum opus, L'Art du Menuisier, is a comprehensive treatise on woodworking that spans multiple volumes. Published between 1769 and 1774 by the Académie des Sciences, this influential work is a treasure trove of knowledge for woodworkers.

Roubo's treatise covers a wide range of topics, including building carpentry, furniture making, and precious woodworking (ébénisterie). These sections are filled with practical advice and illustrations that are still relevant today.

One of Roubo's designs that has stood the test of time is his workbench design, which has proven to be popular among modern woodworkers.