Who painted Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee)?

Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1882.

Where can I see Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee)?

Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee)?

Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1882

Preliminary Sketch for " The Passage" (La Traversee) is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Preliminary Sketch for 'The Passage' (La Traversee) is a graphite drawing on wove paper, created circa 1882 by French artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. The work is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a domestic scene in a dimly lit room with three main figures: a woman with a baby, turning away on the left; a seated woman cradling a child with an obscured face in the center; and a man in a long coat standing by a window, observing the group on the right.

Technique & Style

Characterized by rapid, shaky lines and an unfinished appearance, the drawing emphasizes movement and gesture over detail. Smudges and light shading contribute to its loose, sketchy quality, aligning with the expressive immediacy of Realist drawing practices.

History & Provenance

Created around 1882, the sketch is an early study for Buhot's larger work, 'The Passage' (La Traversee). It is currently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Context

This preliminary sketch reflects Buhot's engagement with everyday life themes, common in Realist art. The focus on indoor domesticity and the observation of daily moments situates it within the broader 19th-century Realist movement.