The Cab was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1872.

Where can I see The Cab?

The Cab is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Cab?

The Cab is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Cab

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1872

The Cab is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s drawing titled *The Cab* dates from 1872 and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. Executed on laid paper, the work combines graphite, black crayon and brown ink. It presents a brief, sketch‑like view of a horse‑drawn cab, rendered with swift, gestural lines that capture a fleeting moment of urban transport.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a modest carriage pulled by a pair of horses that appear weary from labor. Minimal detail is given to the vehicle itself; instead, the emphasis lies on the animals’ muscular tension and the sense of movement. The drawing can be read as a quick visual note taken during travel, highlighting the everyday rhythm of 19th‑century city life.

Technique & Style

Buhot employs a loose, rapid application of graphite and crayon, reinforced by brown ink accents. Cross‑hatching creates depth in the horses’ bodies, while broader strokes define the cab’s silhouette. The laid paper’s textured surface interacts with the marks, enhancing the impression of immediacy and suggesting that the artist worked on location, capturing the scene with minimal preparation.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1870s, *The Cab* entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the precise chain of ownership prior to its museum entry is not extensively documented. Its presence in the gallery’s drawing collection underscores the institution’s interest in 19th‑century French sketching practices and the work of lesser‑known artists such as Buhot.