Artwork

Westminster Palace

Westminster Palace, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1884
Westminster Palace, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1884

Westminster Palace is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Félix-Hilaire Buhot's 'Westminster Palace' (1884) is a mixed-technique print combining etching, drypoint, roulette, aquatint, salt lift ground, and stippling on wove paper, housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a cityscape with Westminster Palace at its center, reflected in a river populated by small boats. The composition is framed by marginal sketches of figures, vessels, and architecture.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a range of techniques to achieve textured, layered effects: etching for lines, drypoint and roulette for scratches, aquatint for tonal variations, and stippling for detailed patterns. The overall appearance is subtly faded yet retains intricate detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1884, the work is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C., though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

Understanding the piece benefits from knowledge of etching processes, as Buhot's mastery of multiple techniques showcases the medium's expressive capabilities in late 19th-century printmaking.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic legacy of 'Westminster Palace' are not detailed here, it exemplifies Buhot's contribution to the evolution of expressive printmaking techniques in the late 19th century.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Félix-Hilaire Buhot (1847–1898) was a French artist, born in Valognes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.