Artwork
Le Bas-hamet

Le Bas-hamet is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This painting, titled "Le Bas-hamet," is an etching, drypoint, and aquatint on laid paper created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1874.
This painting, titled "Le Bas-hamet," is an etching, drypoint, and aquatint on laid paper created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1874. The image depicts a woman walking down a street, surrounded by buildings and people. The scene is set at night, with the sky visible above the rooftops.
The woman is dressed in a long coat and hat, and she is carrying a basket or bag. She appears to be walking alone, but there are other people in the background, some of whom are looking at her. The buildings in the background are tall and narrow, with steeply pitched roofs.
The painting has a dreamlike quality, with soft, muted colors and a sense of movement and energy. It is a beautiful example of Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion and imagination. If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to explore the Romanticism movement.
Overview
Le Bas-hamet is a print created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1874, combining etching, drypoint, and aquatint techniques on laid paper. The work captures a nocturnal scene of a woman walking alone down a street lined with tall, narrow buildings.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a woman in a long coat and hat carrying a basket, navigates a street at night. Though alone in focus, background figures observe her, introducing a sense of quiet interaction within the urban setting.
Technique & Style
Buhot's use of etching, drypoint, and aquatint achieves a soft, muted palette. The interplay of light and shadow, coupled with expressive lines, imbues the scene with a sense of movement and a dreamlike atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, specific provenance details of Le Bas-hamet are not provided in available sources.
Context
While often associated with Romanticism due to its emotive and atmospheric qualities, Le Bas-hamet also reflects the late 19th-century interest in capturing everyday urban life.
Legacy
Le Bas-hamet stands as a representative work of Buhot's skill in printmaking, particularly in capturing nocturnal urban scenes with depth and emotional resonance.
Artist & collection







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






