Artwork

Ex Libris with a Butterfly and Dragonfly

Ex Libris with a Butterfly and Dragonfly, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1877
Ex Libris with a Butterfly and Dragonfly, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1877

Ex Libris with a Butterfly and Dragonfly is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ex Libris with a Butterfly and Dragonfly is a print created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1877 using multiple techniques on Japanese paper. It is currently held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene natural scene featuring a butterfly and dragonfly hovering above a cluster of leaves and flowers. The soft purples and grays dominate the color palette, with darker lines defining the forms.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a range of printmaking techniques, including etching, drypoint, spirit ground, and aquatint, to achieve a varied texture and subtle color transitions. The blending of purple ink into the paper creates a dreamy, slightly faded effect, while fine lines and smooth shading bring the insects and plants to life.

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.