La Traversée (The Passage)

1879-1885

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Associated Names
Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist, French, 1847 - 1898

This drawing depicts various scenes on a ship. The artwork is divided into multiple panels, each showing different vignettes. 

The upper section shows figures under umbrellas in the rain, with ships sailing in the background under a cloudy sky. The central panel displays figures walking upstairs on a deck, with umbrellas and the ship's structure creating depth. A smaller panel to the left shows a figure with an umbrella and a dog on a rainy day at the port. The bottom left corner depicts an impressionistic scene of figures, possibly children. The lower right panel shows seated figures on the deck, interacting or resting. 

The drawing uses a monochromatic scheme and sketch-like quality focusing on contrast and form.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, drypoint, roulette, and softground etching (?) in black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Helena Gunnarsson Buhot Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 32 x 23.9 cm (12 5/8 x 9 7/16 in.)
    sheet: 43.2 x 31.2 cm (17 x 12 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.54.60

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bourcard/Goodfriend 1979, no. 143, State i/iv


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2005

  • The Prints of Félix Buhot: Impressions of City and Sea, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2005-2006, no. 55, as The Passage.

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

by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: APG10876; by later hand, upper right verso in graphite: 67

Watermarks

ARCHES (partial watermark)

Wikidata ID

Q75394096

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