La Place Pigalle en 1878 (Place Pigalle in 1878)

The image depicts Place Pigelle as a lively urban hub: a horse‑drawn carriage waits beside a fountain, pedestrians in period attire traverse the cobbles, and a woman seated on steps shields herself beneath a wide hat. A shop sign reading “Tout Paris” crowns the scene, suggesting the street’s commercial vibrancy and its role as a microcosm of late‑nineteenth‑century Parisian life.

Buhot’s print merges several intaglio processes. Etching provides the primary line work, while aquatint creates broad tonal washes of brown‑black and brown‑red. Drypoint adds fine, velvety edges, and roulette stippling supplies texture in the sky and ground. The overall effect is a grainy, atmospheric surface that emphasizes the density of architectural detail and the movement of figures.

Created in 1878, the work reflects Buhot’s interest in documenting contemporary urban scenes. It was produced as a single print on vellum, a material favored for its smoothness and ability to receive fine tonal variations. The piece has been held in several European collections, most notably appearing in late‑19th‑century print exhibitions that highlighted modern French cityscapes.