Artwork

Les Petites Chaumieres (Thatched Cottages -- Small Plate)

Les Petites Chaumieres (Thatched Cottages -- Small Plate), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1878
Les Petites Chaumieres (Thatched Cottages -- Small Plate), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1878

Les Petites Chaumieres (Thatched Cottages -- Small Plate) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les Petites Chaumieres (Thatched Cottages - Small Plate) is a print created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1878, utilizing a combination of etching, aquatint, drypoint, and scraping techniques on tan wove paper. It is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene village landscape featuring a thatched-roof farmhouse situated on a hill, with smoke emanating from its chimney. A pond below hosts a flock of swans, introducing a sense of calm to the otherwise static rural setting.

Technique & Style

Buhot achieved the image's depth and texture through scratchy lines and layered shading, eschewing smooth coloration in favor of intricate, layered ink applications characteristic of his mixed media approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1878, the work is now held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Context

Understanding the piece's creation involves recognizing the etching process, which involves acid and needle techniques to achieve detailed prints like this one.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of 'Les Petites Chaumieres' are not highlighted here, its inclusion in a prominent national gallery suggests its value within Buhot's oeuvre and late 19th-century printmaking.

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.