Night Patrol

In this second state (in the third state the plate is cancelled, signaling the end of its use by the artist), Buhot changes the image into a true night scene. The complex of techniques, particularly the stop-out (the use of varnish to prevent an area of the plate from accepting ink), provides a variety of light, both direct and reflected, and not only from the lantern but from apparent moonlight (though that source is not shown). The flickering lights in the sky imply both the moonlight on the clouds and stars half-hidden behind the clouds.

The print, still relatively early in Buhot’s work, captures the sort of scene and atmosphere that were important to him. In this, together with an undefined sense of mystery, Night Patrol is quite different from the usual subject matter of most of his contemporaries.

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, drypoint, aquatint, roulette, and stop out
State two of three
Plate: 5 1/16 x 5 9/16 inches