The Return of the Artists to the Champs-Elysées

The scene depicts the return of the artists to the Champs-Elysées on the evening of the final day for sending paintings to the 1877 Salon, either on March 20, at 6 PM, according to the inscription in the image, or on March 21, according to a second inscription etched just below it. (Buhot sometimes could not make up his mind.) The little couple with the umbrella in the very center of the image appears, almost identically, in The Little Funeral made the following year. It is an example of Buhot’s frequent transfer of elements from one image or medium to another. This rare state (just six impressions were taken) features a panorama of sketches at the top of the plate, which were cut off for the printing of the next state.

Félix Buhot
French, 1847–1898

Private collection

1877

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

Etching, drypoint, aquatint and roulette
State two of four
Plate: 9 3/8 x 12 1/2 inches