Second vignette for The Devil in Love by Cazotte

Second vignette for The Devil in Love by Cazotte

Jacques Cazotte’s novel The Devil in Love, written in 1772, was the precursor of all modern fantastic stories. It tells of a young Spanish nobleman with whom the devil falls in love and tries to seduce in the guise of a beautiful woman, and blends reality with fantasy in a way that appealed to Buhot. The three vignettes Buhot produced for this book are his finest works in the realm of the miniature print. The subject of each print transitions into its own decorative frame, thus avoiding the need of illustrated margins. The first two illustrate the story, while the third shows Cazotte himself at a banquet with, true to the genre, a procession leading to the guillotine depicted in the distance. All are proof impressions before the book edition. The second has been heightened by the artist with white gouache and gold.

Félix Buhot
French, 1847–1898

Private collection

1878

This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.

Etching and drypoint retouched with gold and white gouache
Second state of two
Plate: 1 15/16 x 2 3/4 inches