Artwork

Une Matinée d'Hiver au Quai de l'Hôtel-Dieu (Winter Morning on the Quai de l'Hôtel-Dieu)

Une Matinée d'Hiver au Quai de l'Hôtel-Dieu (Winter Morning on the Quai de l'Hôtel-Dieu) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1876 print — titled Une Matinée d’Hiver au Quai de l’Hôtel‑Dieu — captures a quiet winter morning along a Parisian quay. Rendered on heavy wove paper, the work combines etching, aquatint, drypoint, stop‑out and roulette to depict a rain‑slicked street, a few horse‑drawn carriages, a solitary streetlamp, and the distant silhouette of buildings and a bridge.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents an urban scene devoid of pedestrians, emphasizing the stillness of a cold, damp dawn. The sparse activity of the carriages and the muted glow of the lamp suggest a moment of transience, reflecting everyday life in late‑19th‑century Paris while inviting contemplation of atmosphere over narrative.

Technique & Style

Buhot employs a layered printmaking process: fine lines from drypoint convey texture, while aquatint provides broad tonal washes that suggest rain‑soaked surfaces. Stop‑out masks preserve highlights, and roulette stippling introduces subtle movement in the sky and water. These methods together create depth and a fleeting impression characteristic of the Impressionist sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created in 1876, the print belongs to the period when French artists were exploring new ways to document modern city life. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been cited in catalogues of 19th‑century French prints and appears in several museum collections that focus on the development of print techniques during the Impressionist era.