Clichy Boulevard Funerary Procession - Félix Hilaire Buhot

A moody, atmospheric etching by Félix Hilaire Buhot depicting a funeral procession on the streets of Paris, complete with the artist's signature marginalia.

Félix Hilaire Buhot was a master of the etching medium, known for his experimental approach to printmaking. In this work, he captures a sombre scene on the Boulevard de Clichy in Paris. The composition features a funeral procession moving through the city streets, rendered with a melancholic atmosphere. Buhot employs a combination of etching, drypoint, and aquatint to create varying textures and tonal depths, from the dark silhouettes of the mourners to the hazy, atmospheric sky.

The print is notable for its marginalia, a characteristic feature of Buhot's work. He often included small sketches, decorative motifs, or poetic inscriptions in the margins of his plates, which expand upon the narrative of the central image. Here, the handwritten text adds a personal, reflective layer to the scene, grounding the urban observation in a specific moment of Parisian life. The artist's ability to balance the technical demands of the copper plate with a spontaneous, almost sketch-like quality gives the work its distinct character.

Buhot's interest in the changing face of Paris during the late nineteenth century is evident in his choice of subject matter. He frequently documented the streets, the weather, and the daily rhythms of the city. This particular print reflects his fascination with the intersection of public life and private grief. The muted colour palette and the soft, diffused light suggest a damp, overcast day, typical of the Parisian climate he often depicted. By layering different techniques, Buhot achieves a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer into the quiet, solemn procession as it makes its way past the local architecture. This piece provides a window into the technical ingenuity and observational skill that defined Buhot's career as a printmaker.