Who painted L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris)?

L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1879.

Where can I see L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris)?

L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris)?

L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1879

L'Hiver à Paris (Winter in Paris) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1879 print L’Hiver à Paris captures a bustling winter scene on a Parisian street.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1879 print L’Hiver à Paris captures a bustling winter scene on a Parisian street. Executed on light‑green laid paper, the work combines multiple intaglio processes to render snow‑covered cobbles, hurried pedestrians under umbrellas, horse‑drawn carriages and lively dogs amid densely packed façades marked by shop and café signs.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a snapshot of daily urban life in December, emphasizing the contrast between the cold, muted atmosphere and the animated movement of city dwellers. Small vignette sketches in the margins further animate the scene, suggesting a broader social tableau of winter activity in the French capital.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a layered approach, integrating traditional etching with aquatint, spit‑bite, soft‑ground etching, drypoint and scraping. These methods generate a range of textures—from rough, gestural lines to smooth tonal washes—allowing nuanced depiction of snow, fog and architectural detail while preserving the immediacy of the street’s energy.

History & Provenance

The print bears the inscription “à la Place Breda, 9 Décembre,” anchoring it to a specific location and date. Created in 1879, it reflects the artist’s interest in contemporary urban scenes, though further ownership records remain undocumented in the available sources.

Context

Produced during the late nineteenth century, the work aligns with a broader European fascination with modern city life and the effects of industrialization on daily routines. Buhot’s choice of a winter setting adds a seasonal dimension to the era’s exploration of light, atmosphere and the social fabric of Paris.