Artwork

Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant...

Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant..., by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1878
Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant..., by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1878

Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant… is a print created by French artist Félix‑Hilaire Buhot in 1878.

About this work

Overview

Le Bruit de deux sabots trainant… is a print created by French artist Félix‑Hilaire Buhot in 1878. Executed as an etching combined with drypoint on thin Japan paper, the work is rendered entirely in red ink. The composition centers on a solitary figure crossing shallow water, an upright cross positioned to the left, and a distant church that recedes into the background.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a lone individual navigating a wet landscape while holding an umbrella, suggesting inclement weather or a ritual passage. The prominent cross and the church evoke religious symbolism, perhaps alluding to themes of pilgrimage, contemplation, or the sound of distant hoofbeats implied by the title.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed both etching and drypoint, allowing for fine line work alongside richer, more textured marks. The use of red ink on delicate Japan paper creates a warm tonal field, while the contrast between smooth water surfaces and the rough architectural elements highlights his skill in rendering varied textures within a single monochrome palette.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in 1878, during the later phase of Buhot’s career when he explored atmospheric effects in printmaking. It remains catalogued among his etchings and drypoints, though specific ownership records prior to its inclusion in museum collections are not widely documented.

Context

Created at the height of the Romantic movement, the work reflects the period’s fascination with mood, nature, and the sublime. The emphasis on a solitary figure amid a misty environment aligns with contemporary artistic interests in evoking emotional resonance through landscape and religious motifs.

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.