Artwork

L'Orage (The Storm)

L'Orage (The Storm), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1879
L'Orage (The Storm), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1879

L'Orage (The Storm) 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 print L’Orage, executed in 1879, depicts a tempestuous sky hovering over a tranquil riverbank.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print L’Orage, executed in 1879, depicts a tempestuous sky hovering over a tranquil riverbank. The composition is rendered on a moderately thick cream‑laid paper, its surface bearing a tactile, uneven texture that enhances the atmospheric effect.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents low, dark clouds that seem to press against the water’s surface, while a modest bridge and scattered trees occupy the river’s edge. The juxtaposition of the looming storm with the calm riverbank suggests a fleeting tension between nature’s turbulence and human serenity.

Technique & Style

Buhot combines drypoint and roulette work with selective etching and possible salt‑lift areas, all in black ink. Fine lines are enriched by pen touches and a subtle gray wash, producing blurred, rain‑like textures. The fuzzy cloud edges convey movement, while the varied incisions give the paper a richly variegated surface.

History & Provenance

Created in the late nineteenth century, L’Orage belongs to Buhot’s series of atmospheric studies that explore weather effects on landscape. The print is catalogued as a single impression on cream‑laid paper, reflecting the artist’s experimental approach to printmaking during this period.

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.