Les Noctambules (The Night Prowlers)

1876/1877

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Associated Names
Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist, French, 1847 - 1898

The image depicts a person holding an umbrella in a dark alley surrounded by many cats. The figure stands in the center of the alley, which is filled with cats. The artwork uses deep, dark tones and textured lines to create a sense of a rainy or gloomy atmosphere. The presence of the umbrella suggests bad weather, and the shadows in the alley add depth to the scene. The setting feels intimate and solitary, with a mysterious vibe due to the heavy use of shadow.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and aquatint in black on beige laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Helena Gunnarsson Buhot Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 7.9 x 11.8 cm (3 1/8 x 4 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 17.8 x 23.4 cm (7 x 9 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.54.34

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bourcard/Goodfriend 1979, no. 69, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

James Goodfriend, New York; Helena Gunnarsson, Washington, DC; gift to NGA, 1995.

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 left in plate: Buhot; by later hands, lower left verso in graphite: B 69 ii/ii / APG 9476

Watermarks

partial crown

Wikidata ID

Q75393903

You may be interested in

Loading Results