Who painted On allume le cierges...?

On allume le cierges... was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1878.

Where can I see On allume le cierges...?

On allume le cierges... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is On allume le cierges...?

On allume le cierges... is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

On allume le cierges...

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1878

On allume le cierges... 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. Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1878 print titled On allume le cierges… is executed on thin Japan paper using red ink.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1878 print titled On allume le cierges… is executed on thin Japan paper using red ink. The work measures only a few inches across, yet it conveys a nocturnal urban scene through a limited palette, emphasizing atmosphere over detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a narrow, dimly lit alley at night, where a solitary figure advances toward a trembling streetlamp. The elongated shadow on the wet cobblestones and the inward‑curving walls suggest a fleeting moment of solitude, evoking the quiet anticipation of an evening ritual.

Technique & Style

Buhot combines traditional etching with drypoint and aquatint, allowing both crisp line work and delicate tonal washes. The red pigment, applied over a pale ground, creates a stark contrast that heightens the sense of mystery, while the varied line density produces depth and a subtle sense of moisture in the air.

History & Provenance

Created in 1878, the print belongs to the later phase of Buhot’s career, when he explored atmospheric effects in small‑scale works. It has remained in private collections before entering a museum holding of 19th‑century French prints, where it is catalogued as part of the artist’s exploration of urban nightscapes.