The Port of Seagulls

The view is of the harbor of Saint-Malo, apparently looking across the estuary toward the town of Dinard, distantly seen between the masts of the ships. With its symphonic margins focusing on the same elements as the principal subject—sailing ships, together with gulls and the oysters and shrimp on which the birds are feeding—it is a very integrated print. In most impressions of this state, there are no areas of bright light, the images instead appearing out of varied tones of grey. The highlights here, however, on the gulls and elsewhere, which in the final state are produced by stop-out, have probably been accomplished by carefully wiping ink off the plate in tiny dabs. Buhot must have so liked the effect that he modified the plate to produce its effect in the later impressions.

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, sandpaper ground, drypoint, and aquatint
State six of seven
Plate: 9 11/16 x 13 7/8 inches