Artwork
Le Bas-Hamet

Le Bas-Hamet is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Bas-Hamet is a print created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1880, combining etching, drypoint, roulette, and aquatint techniques on Japanese paper in black ink.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene nighttime village scene. A solitary figure, arms raised in apparent surprise or disorientation, walks in the center. Softly lit houses and a stationary horse in the background add to the quiet ambiance.
Technique & Style
Buhot achieved depth through rough, textured lines, with hand-drawn shadows. The Japanese paper's grainy appearance, coupled with loose, sketchy marginal lines, suggests a rapid, expressive working process.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880, specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting the work's existence as part of Buhot's oeuvre from that year.
Context
Technically, the piece exemplifies late 19th-century printmaking innovations, notably the mixed use of etching, drypoint, roulette, and aquatint. Artistically, it reflects a focus on capturing everyday, intimate moments.
Legacy
While specific legacy details are not outlined, Le Bas-Hamet contributes to the broader appreciation of Buhot's printmaking skills and his contribution to the Impressionist and late 19th-century European art movements.
Artist & collection







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











