Who painted Third Vignette?

Third Vignette was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1878.

Where can I see Third Vignette?

Third Vignette is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Third Vignette?

Third Vignette is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Third Vignette

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1878

Third Vignette 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.

About this work

Overview

Third Vignette, executed in 1878 by French printmaker Félix‑Hilaire Buhot, is a small-scale print that combines etching and drypoint on laid paper. The work is presented within a vivid red border that frames a central scene populated by a seated figure and surrounding companions, accompanied by assorted objects placed on a low table.

Subject & Meaning

At the heart of the composition stands a man with his right arm lifted, his left hand resting on the tabletop. He is encircled by several other figures, suggesting a social gathering or intimate conversation. The arrangement of objects on the table hints at a domestic or perhaps scholarly setting, though the precise narrative remains open to interpretation.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed both traditional etching and the more tactile drypoint method, allowing for fine line work alongside richer, velvety shadows. The laid paper surface contributes a subtle texture that enhances the depth created by the varied line weights. The overall effect is one of delicate modeling and a restrained palette, characteristic of the late‑Romantic aesthetic.

History & Provenance

Created toward the end of the 19th‑century French print revival, Third Vignette was likely produced in limited numbers using a letter‑press process. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print has appeared in several catalogues of Buhot’s oeuvre and is held in a number of public and private collections devoted to 19th‑century graphic art.