The Place Pigalle in 1878

Buhot made two oil paintings of the Place Pigalle: one in 1878, a summer image; the second in 1879, showing almost the identical scene in the snow. The etching is taken from the former. Buhot chose not to surround the image with full or even partial symphonic margins, but he did inject a rectangular commentary into the upper right of the picture, depicting the fountain from a different angle and the famous Café de la Nouvelle Athènes just beyond. As is often the case with Buhot, a precedent for this compositional approach can be found in Japanese prints.

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, aquatint, drypoint, salt lift ground, and stop out
State five of six
Plate: 9 15/16 x 13 1/4 inches