Artwork

Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille

Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1879
Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1879

Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille, an 1879 print by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, captures a lively street scene on laid paper using a combination of etching and roulette techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling street with a seated man petting a dog, a nearby horse, and a background crowd gathered around a scaffold beneath a 'Maitre Cornille' sign. The title suggests an underlying narrative or 'secret' not immediately apparent in the visual elements.

Technique & Style

Buhot's use of etching and roulette imparts a textured, hand-drawn quality. The composition features rough, sketchy lines with select areas left blank, contributing to its dynamic, spontaneous appearance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1879, specific details regarding the print's history and ownership (provenance) are not provided in the available information.

Context

While the exact context or inspiration behind 'Le Secret du Maîtres Cornille' is unclear, it reflects late 19th-century interests in capturing everyday urban life through printmaking.

Legacy

The print's impact or influence on subsequent artists or movements is not specified in the given details, highlighting a need for further research into its broader artistic significance.

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.