Who painted Après la pluie (After the Rain)?

Après la pluie (After the Rain) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1873.

Where can I see Après la pluie (After the Rain)?

Après la pluie (After the Rain) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Après la pluie (After the Rain)?

Après la pluie (After the Rain) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Après la pluie (After the Rain)?

Museum-quality prints of Après la pluie (After the Rain) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Après la pluie (After the Rain)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1873

Après la pluie (After the Rain) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1873 print Après la pluie combines etching, drypoint and aquatint on cream‑laid paper.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: fB / 1872 / Après la pluie; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: APG 9271; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: ox[?]
Markings: Marked:Felix Buhot's studio stamp (Lugt 978)

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s 1873 print Après la pluie combines etching, drypoint and aquatint on cream‑laid paper. Rendered in a limited black‑brown palette, the image captures a wet urban street scene shortly after a rainstorm, with reflective cobbles, low‑lying clouds and a muted atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a narrow city thoroughfare lined with aging façades, chimneys and steep roofs. Figures move beneath umbrellas while a dog darts across the slick pavement, emphasizing the ordinary rhythm of daily life under inclement weather.

Technique & Style

Buhot employs bold line work from etching and drypoint to define architecture, while aquatint creates tonal washes that model light and shadow on the wet surface. The interplay of dark outlines and subtle gradations reflects the Impressionist interest in fleeting atmospheric effects.

History & Provenance

Created in 1873, the print belongs to the period when French printmakers were exploring new methods to convey immediacy. It was issued as part of Buhot’s series of urban scenes, though specific exhibition or ownership records remain limited.

Context

During the early 1870s, French art was shifting toward depictions of contemporary life, influenced by the rise of photography and the Impressionist movement. Buhot’s choice of a rain‑soaked street aligns with this trend, focusing on everyday moments rather than historical or mythological subjects.