Butterfly and DragonflyPublished in the portfolio Japonisme in 1883

Butterfly and Dragonfly
Published in the portfolio Japonisme in 1883

This impression, in black, was intended as a design for the back cover of the portfolio Buhot published in 1883 under the title Japonisme. It consisted of ten etchings after Japanese art objects from the collection of Philippe Burty, the French critic who coined the term “japonisme.” Unlike the other prints in the portfolio, Papillon et libellule does not reproduce an art object but rather is an attempt by Buhot to produce an original image based on Japanese aesthetics, a far more profound idea and the basis of a true japonisme movement as it developed in France and elsewhere.

Other examples of the etching, issued apart from the portfolio, were usually printed in blue, occasionally in lavender.

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, spirit ground, aquatint, and stop-out
State two of three
Plate: 4 3/8 x 5 3/8 inches