THE DECORATIVE PAINTER
by Robin Reed
Born in 1894, Victor Robbian was a professional artist and painting contractor.[1] A member of the professional organization, Florida Council of Master Painters and Decorators, he was elected secretary of the Association in 1935.[2]
His talents were showcased in the St. Petersburg Times and the Evening Independent many times. At least five of his clients and their homes were featured in Lillian Blackstone’s “Little Visits” series on St. Petersburg homes.[3] He designed floats for many of the local parades and was often asked to decorate for society parties. An elaborate stage setting was created by Mr. Robbian for a visit to St. Petersburg by Governor Doyle E. Carlton in 1931.[4]
In 1932, he was hired by the Paces to decorate the interior of their new home at 705 16th Avenue Northeast. The breakfast room was painted in the “Chinese” taste with built-in china cabinets and wainscot painted black, accented with Chinese red. Neptune, god of the sea, and a reclining mermaid adorned the walls of the master bathroom. Neither of these decorative schemes remains today.
During the current owners’ renovation project, hand-painted vignettes with a drinking motif were discovered under the drywall in a pantry that had replaced an open bar. These small, ‘New Yorker’ style paintings were restored, with an open pantry style bar replacing the closet style pantry. Open-backed cabinets were installed to preserve as many of the paintings as possible. A St. Petersburg street scene including a depiction of Sherman’s was apparently destroyed when a doorway across from the bar into the kitchen was widened by the previous owners.
Victor Robbian died in 1966.[5]
[1] “Obituary, Robbian, Victor L.,” St. Petersburg Times 22 August 1966.
[2] “Hulse is Elected Head of Painters,” Evening Independent 10 January 1935.
[3] “Little Visits to St. Petersburg Homes,” St. Petersburg Times 26 February 1938, 29 May 1938, 11 February 1939, 9 November 1941, and 15 February 1942.
[4] “Beach Section,” St. Petersburg Times 2 April 1938, “11th Annual Soreno New Year party Is Sunday,” Evening Independent 29 December 1933, “Labor Will Have Float in the Festival Parade Depicting Trades,” Evening Independent 3 February 1928, “Governor Carlton Here for Elks Lodge memorial,” Evening Independent 12 May 1935.
[5] “Obituary, Robbian, Victor L.,” St. Petersburg Times 22 August 1966.
A list of newspaper citations that Robin found:
St. Petersburg Times
2/26/39 – Painted at 556 21st Ave NE; flower designs around ceiling mouldings
11/9/41 – 2423 7th St. N – painted poinsettias on kitchen cabinets
4/2/38 – Designed Lido Beach float
2/15/42 – Hand-painted bath walls at 1204 14th Ave N
8/22/41 – Mrs. Alden Robbian former Myriam Rosseter
11/9/41 – Little Visit
2/15/42 – Little Visit
2/26/38 – Little Visit
2/11/39 – Little Visit
5/29/38 – Little Visit Pace
Evening Independent
6/19/39 – Lived at 4815 3rd Ave N; Alden was son
4/3/28 – Painted Queen of Spain
4/3/36 – Designed float
12/29/33 – Described as “well-known interior decorator”; used marine motif at Soreno party
2/3/28 – Described as “artist resident”; designed float for Festival of States
3/2/28 – Parade float
10/2/31 – Decorated interior of Lowry’s for grand re-opening, 346 Central Ave
12/5/31 – Painted stage setting for Elks ceremony
3/23/35 – Elected pres. of Master Painters
1/10/35 - Internat’l Assn. of Master Painters, sec’y
12/5/35 – Decorated stage for governor
2/27/39 – Alden in play, Meet the Wife – photo
