A sculptor, frame maker and educator, Robert Laurent came to New York City in 1901 from France, having been brought over from his home at Concarneau by artist Hamilton Field who painting in the area became aware of the special talent of Robert. Field also brought Robert's parents over, and employed them as caretakers in New York and later in Ogunquit, Maine.

Under the sponsorship of Field, Robert returned to Paris in 1905 as an apprentice to a dealer in Japanese prints. He also became much aware of emerging modernist art styles, and in Italy studied drawing and wood carving. As a young boy in Brittany, Robert had been much fascinated by Celtic sculpture found in granite calvaries at crossroads in his native land. He felt it sprang fr...