Cochons au soleil (Pigs in the Sun)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

1878

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a group of pigs lying in the sun. They’re resting on a flat surface, some curled up, others sprawled out. The artist used dark lines to show their fur and shadows, with lighter spots for sunlight hitting their backs. The pigs look relaxed, almost lazy, as if they’re napping. The background is simple—just a few bushes and a plain sky. This style focuses on everyday moments, not fancy scenes. This print uses etching, a technique where artists scratch into metal plates to create lines.