Who painted Une Variètè dans L'Amour?

Une Variètè dans L'Amour was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1874.

Where can I see Une Variètè dans L'Amour?

Une Variètè dans L'Amour is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Une Variètè dans L'Amour?

Une Variètè dans L'Amour is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Une Variètè dans L'Amour

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1874

Une Variètè dans L'Amour is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print *Une Variètè dans L’Amour* was produced in 1874.

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print *Une Variètè dans L’Amour* was produced in 1874. Executed on wove paper, the work combines etching, drypoint and roulette techniques to render a nocturnal interior scene. The composition is framed by ornamental, swirling motifs that border the central tableau, giving the piece a decorative yet enigmatic edge.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a dimly lit bedroom where a man in a dark coat stands beside a bed on which a partially covered woman lies. Moonlight filters through a window, illuminating a large moon outside, while the surrounding darkness and the presence of ghost‑like figures suggest a narrative of concealed or turbulent affection, hinted at by the title’s reference to a “variety in love.”

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a combination of etching, drypoint and roulette to achieve a range of tonal values. Etching provides the overall line work, while drypoint adds rich, velvety shadows through burr‑laden lines. The roulette tool creates stippled textures that enhance the atmospheric depth, especially in the moonlit areas and the ornamental borders, resulting in a moody, chiaroscuro effect.

Context

Created during the late‑19th century, the print reflects the era’s fascination with romantic and symbolist themes, as well as the technical experimentation of French printmakers. The integration of decorative borders and mysterious narrative aligns with contemporary interests in merging fine art with illustrative motifs, situating Buhot’s work within the broader currents of French print culture of the 1870s.