Who painted Road to Perdition?

Road to Perdition was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1873.

Where can I see Road to Perdition?

Road to Perdition is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Road to Perdition?

Road to Perdition is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Road to Perdition

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1873

Road to Perdition is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1873 print titled *Road to Perdition* is executed in etching and drypoint on wove paper, rendered entirely in a reddish‑brown palette. The image presents a solitary horseman traversing a bleak, storm‑laden landscape, where turbulent clouds dominate the sky and the terrain appears jagged and uneven, imparting a sense of isolation and tension.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a lone rider moving through a hostile environment, suggesting themes of journey, adversity, and perhaps an inevitable confrontation with fate. The dark, swirling atmosphere and the stark, solitary figure evoke a narrative of struggle against overwhelming natural forces, inviting viewers to contemplate the emotional weight of a solitary quest.

Technique & Style

Buhot combines traditional etching with drypoint, allowing for both delicate line work and the characteristic burr of drypoint that yields rich, velvety strokes. The hand‑drawn quality of the lines creates a sketch‑like texture, while the uniform reddish‑brown tone, achieved through careful inking, unifies the scene and heightens its dramatic intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1873, the print reflects Buhot’s engagement with the printmaking innovations of the late nineteenth century. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is documented in catalogues of Buhot’s oeuvre and has been exhibited in collections focusing on French etching and the development of atmospheric landscape prints.