Robert: A Fortunate Life is Sokurov's key pictorial account of the work of Hubert Robert (1733-1808), a French painter who was representative of what Sokurov calls 'classic virtuosity'.

"Sokurov is perhaps the most ambitious and original serious filmmaker, working anywhere in the world today. Each of his films that I've seen has a visual power and moral depth that creates an unforgettable emotional experience." - Susan Sontag