Artwork
La Fête nationale au Boulevard Clichy (National Holiday on the Boulevard de Clichy)

La Fête nationale au Boulevard Clichy (National Holiday on the Boulevard de Clichy) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La Fête nationale au Boulevard Clichy is a print by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, dated 1878, combining etching, drypoint, aquatint, foul-bite, and soft-ground etching in multiple colors on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a vibrant street celebration, likely Bastille Day, on the Boulevard de Clichy. Flags, banners, and a dense crowd convey a sense of communal joy and national festivity.
Technique & Style
Buhot's multi-technique approach yields a textured, visually engaging image. The juxtaposition of bold lines (etching, drypoint) with tonal depth (aquatint) and subtle accents (gold) enhances the scene's dynamic atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1878, the work is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C.
Context
The piece reflects late 19th-century French urban life and the tradition of commemorating national holidays through public gatherings.
Legacy
While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives, it remains a notable example of Buhot's skill in capturing ephemeral urban moments through innovative printmaking techniques.
Artist & collection







![Gillingham Pier, London [verso], by Félix-Hilaire Buhot](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/felix-hilaire-buhot--gillingham-pier-london-verso--641e03dd7de8217b-w320.webp)





