French composer Pierre Robert (c.1620-1699) became director of Senlis cathedral choir school in 1643. He studied music at Notre-Dame de Paris and was master of music there from 1653 to 1662. In 1663, Louis XIV selected him as assistant master of the Royal Chapel, alongside Thomas Gobert, Gabriel Expilly and Henry du Mont. Robert and Du Mont then served at the Royal Chapel, working to develop the grand motet, the emblematic religious genre during the Grand Siècle. The court moved to Versailles in 1682 and Louis XIV was keen to encourage a new majestic French style of music. Both assistant masters left their post, the king showing his gratitude generously, and ordered many of their grands motets to be published.
