Les Vieux (The Elders)

Buhot employed a mixture of intaglio processes: etched lines define the architecture, drypoint adds soft, velvety edges, and aquatint—both dust and spirit grounds—creates tonal washes. Spit bite and roulette work introduce granular textures that evoke the roughness of the setting. The deliberate, varied marks convey a tactile quality, emphasizing the hand‑made nature of the print over a polished painterly finish.

The print belongs to the later phase of Buhot’s career, when he explored complex, multi‑process prints on Japanese paper. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has appeared in several catalogues of 19th‑century French printmaking, indicating its recognition among collectors of etching and its inclusion in exhibitions highlighting the era’s experimental graphic techniques.