Le bruit de deux sabots traînant... (The sound of two clogs shuffling...)

1878

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Associated Names
Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist, French, 1847 - 1898

This is a drawing of a night scene in a rainy cityscape with various illustrative elements. The central image depicts a dark silhouette of a cross with what appears to be a cathedral in the background under a heavy rainfall. In the foreground, an individual walks through the rain, holding an umbrella in one hand and a lantern in the other, illuminating puddles on the cobblestone street. The atmosphere is moody and dramatic, characterized by strong contrasts between the light and dark areas of a night scene. 

Surrounding the central panel are various sketches, including a lamppost, blurry figures, and whimsical animals and patterns, scattered as doodles along the edges. The composition includes architectural and organic forms with rich textures and intricate lines. It draws attention to both the central dramatic scene and the marginal embellishments, creating a sense of narrative. The drawing plays with light, shadow, and contrasts to evoke mystery and introspection. At the top, there are small characters that spell out "strepit," adding to the curiosity of the illustration.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, drypoint, and roulette in black on moderately thick cream wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 17.4 x 11.4 cm (6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
    sheet: 21.7 x 14.4 cm (8 9/16 x 5 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9570

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bourcard/Goodfriend 1979, no. 91, State iii/vi


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1899

  • Bourcard, Gustave. Felix Buhot: catalogue descriptif de son oeuvre grave. Paris: H. Floury, 1899. Reprint. With additions and revisions by James Goodfriend. New York: Martin Goodfriend, 1979.

Inscriptions

lower center below central image in plate: Felix Buhot inv. sc.t; lower left in plate: Le bruit de deux sabots traînants; lower center in plate: p 1; by later hand, lower right in graphite: EE2894

Wikidata ID

Q65019886

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