Spirits of Dead Cities

Victor Hugo was Buhot’s favorite poet, and this fantastic image was originally intended to be an illustration for an edition of Hugo’s Les Voix intérieures, les rayons et les ombres. The work is, however, more an evocation of Hugo’s poetry and graphic art than an illustration, and the text in the margins is not by the writer, but possibly by Buhot himself. The ville morte is not a “dead” city, but one whose great days have passed. The city here is imaginary, but likely inspired by the view of Saint-Malo from across the estuary. The sheer fantasy of the image is most notable, with Buhot extending his vision beyond the boundaries of Realism and Romanticism. This impression of Spirits of Dead Cities is rare, with symphonic margins printed from a second plate and on a second sheet of paper in which a window has been cut for the primary image to show through.

Félix Buhot
French, 1847–1898

Private collection

1886

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

Etching, drypoint, aquatint, and roulette
Printed from two plates
State five of six
Main plate: 11 3/8 x 15 5/16 inches
Margin plate: 13 3/8 x 17 9/16 inches