Who painted The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine)?

The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1872.

Where can I see The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine)?

The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine)?

The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1872

The Marine Painter (Le Peintre de Marine) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print entitled *Le Peintre de Marine* dates from 1872.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print entitled *Le Peintre de Marine* dates from 1872. Executed as a multi‑process intaglio work on wove paper, it depicts a solitary figure confronting a tempestuous shoreline. The composition balances a stark, wind‑blown figure with tumultuous sea and sky, conveying a moment of human vulnerability amid natural forces.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, clutching a long pole, appears to brace against the gale while navigating a beach besieged by breaking waves. The swirling clouds and churning surf suggest an imminent storm, evoking themes of perseverance and the precarious relationship between man and the sea. The work invites contemplation of solitude and resilience in hostile environments.

Technique & Style

Buhot combined etching, drypoint, aquatint, and stop‑out methods, employing a sandpaper ground and a spit‑bite technique rendered in blue‑black and black inks. The drypoint lines add delicate, velvety edges, while the aquatint washes build atmospheric depth. Layered applications of ink and selective sanding create a tactile surface that mirrors the roughness of wind‑tossed sand and foaming surf.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1870s, the print reflects the period’s fascination with marine subjects and the technical experimentation of French printmakers. While specific ownership records are limited, *Le Peintre de Marine* has been catalogued in several 19th‑century print collections and continues to appear in exhibitions focusing on the evolution of intaglio processes.