Artwork

Enfant Dessinant (Child Drawing)

Enfant Dessinant (Child Drawing), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1894
Enfant Dessinant (Child Drawing), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1894

Enfant Dessinant (Child Drawing) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Outside the window, a sailboat glides on calm water, and a train’s dark shape moves in the distance.

This sketch shows a boy sitting at a small desk, bent over a book or paper. Behind him, a framed drawing of a face hangs on the wall. Outside the window, a sailboat glides on calm water, and a train’s dark shape moves in the distance. The lines are loose and quick, like a rough draft.

The artist left quick scribbles of other figures in the corners—maybe people watching the boy. The date "1894" is written in the bottom right, along with the artist’s name.

Next, look up lithography to see how this sketch was made.

Overview

Enfant Dessinant (Child Drawing) is a lithograph created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1894. The print depicts a boy engaged in drawing or writing.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a boy seated at a desk, surrounded by hints of creative and industrial activity: a framed drawing on the wall, a sailboat on calm water outside, and a train in the distance. Sketches of onlookers appear in the corners, suggesting the boy is being observed.

Technique & Style

The lithograph is characterized by loose, rapid lines, giving it a spontaneous, draft-like quality. The artist's use of lithography allowed for expressive, gestural marks, capturing the fluidity of the scene.

History & Provenance

The print is dated 1894 and bears the artist's signature in the bottom right corner, confirming its creation by Félix-Hilaire Buhot.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Félix-Hilaire Buhot (1847–1898) was a French artist, born in Valognes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.