Robert Philipp was born into a family of musicians who staged German-American productions in New York City. As a child he was taken to Gemany where he received his early education. Upon his return to New York he studied at the Art Students League under Bridgeman and DuMond. He was a student at the National Academy School in 1914-17 and again in 192021; he studied under Volk, Maynard, and Curran. Afterwards he worked as a singer in an operetta company, and then worked in Newark, New Jersey, painting posters for movie houses.
He was first a painter of figure subjects, women, and portraits. After a visiting professorship at the University of Illinois (1940), followed by travels to the south, he began to paint the American scene. He taught at the Art Students League 1948-1973 and at the National Academy School 1950-1975.
His wife, Rochelle Post, a playwright, served as a model for many of his best paintings. His work was influenced by the impressionists, especially Renoir. His artist friends included Moses and Raphael Soyer, Robert Brackman, Ivan Olinsky and John Carroll. He founded the American group with Stuart Eddie, Jacob Gethlar Smith and others. He was represented by Grand Central Art Galleries.
