Forêt was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1872.

Where can I see Forêt?

Forêt is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Forêt?

Forêt is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Forêt

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1872

Forêt is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print titled *Forêt* was produced in 1872. Executed as an etching on laid paper, the work measures the dense, shadowy interior of a forest. The composition is dominated by thick, interlacing trunks and a canopy that permits only faint shafts of light, creating an atmosphere of quiet enclosure.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a tangled woodland where the trees rise in close, overlapping forms. The limited illumination suggests a hidden or secluded space, inviting contemplation of nature’s impenetrable aspects. The overall mood conveys a sense of mystery and stillness, emphasizing the forest’s capacity to both conceal and reveal.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed traditional intaglio methods, incising lines into a metal plate and then inking it before pressing onto laid paper. The resulting marks are bold, almost chisel‑like, and the surface retains a rough, scratched texture that enhances the impression of a raw, living environment. The stark contrast between deep blacks and the paper’s tone reinforces the work’s dramatic intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1870s, *Forêt* reflects the period’s interest in atmospheric landscape prints. While specific ownership records are scarce, the piece remains associated with Buhot’s broader oeuvre of printmaking, illustrating his engagement with natural subjects and his skill in manipulating line to evoke mood.