Artwork

Ex-Libris pour "L'Ensorcelée" (Bookplate for "L'Ensorcelée")

Ex-Libris pour "L'Ensorcelée" (Bookplate for "L'Ensorcelée"), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1884
Ex-Libris pour "L'Ensorcelée" (Bookplate for "L'Ensorcelée"), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1884

Ex-Libris pour "L'Ensorcelée" (Bookplate for "L'Ensorcelée") is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ex-Libris pour 'L'Ensorcelée' is a bookplate etching created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot around 1884, combining etching, drypoint, aquatint, and roulette techniques on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dimly lit, cluttered room with a central, ornate bookplate bearing the inscription 'Ex-Libris pour L'Ensorcelée'. Flanking the bookplate are two figures: a scholar and a woman in flowing attire, set against a backdrop of shadows, partial architectural elements, and draped fabric.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a mix of sharp lines (via etching and drypoint) and soft shading (through aquatint and roulette) to achieve depth, characteristic of late 19th-century printmaking. The composition's interplay of light and dark enhances the overall sense of volume and atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1884, specific details regarding the print's ownership history and exhibition record are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work reflects the late 19th-century interest in bookplate design as an artistic expression, often commissioned for literary works. 'L'Ensorcelée' (The Enchanted One) suggests a connection to a book of possibly mystical or romantic themes.

Legacy

While specific influence or notable exhibitions of 'Ex-Libris pour L'Ensorcelée' are not detailed, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Buhot's printmaking skill and the aesthetic of his era's bookplate art.

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.