Artwork

Frontispiece for L'Illustration Nouvelle: The Burial of the Burin

Frontispiece for L'Illustration Nouvelle: The Burial of the Burin 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

If you're interested in learning more about the techniques used to create this image, you might want to look into the art of etching, drypoint, and aquatint.

In this image, a train is depicted with the words "L'ILLUSTRATION NOUVELLE" and "1877" on its front. The train is surrounded by a dark, ominous atmosphere, with a crowd of people in the background. The scene is set against a backdrop of a cityscape, with buildings and trees visible in the distance.

The train appears to be emerging from a tunnel, with smoke billowing from its chimney. The overall mood of the image is one of foreboding and tension, with the dark colors and ominous atmosphere creating a sense of unease.

If you're interested in learning more about the techniques used to create this image, you might want to look into the art of etching, drypoint, and aquatint.

Overview

Félix-Hilaire Buhot's 1877 print, Frontispiece for L'Illustration Nouvelle: The Burial of the Burin, combines etching, drypoint, and aquatint techniques on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The image features a train labeled 'L'ILLUSTRATION NOUVELLE' and '1877', emerging from a tunnel amidst a dark, ominous cityscape. The somber atmosphere and crowd in the background convey foreboding and tension, potentially symbolizing the 'burial' of an old era or medium, hinted at by 'Burin' (a tool for engraving).

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a trio of printmaking methods: etching for detailed lines, drypoint for expressive marks, and aquatint for nuanced tonal ranges, achieving a rich, ominous visual depth.

History & Provenance

Created in 1877 as a frontispiece for L'Illustration Nouvelle, the print's specific provenance details are not provided in available information.

Context

The work may reflect late 19th-century anxieties about technological and artistic transitions, with the train representing modernity and the 'burial' alluding to the perceived decline of traditional illustration techniques.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not provided, it contributes to Buhot's broader oeuvre exploring the intersection of traditional techniques with modern subjects and themes.