Artwork

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1886
Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls), by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1886

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower left in plate: LE PORT AUX MOUETTES; by later hand, lower center in graphite: Buhot, le port aux mouettes (2me Etat).; by later hand, lower right in graphite: B 162; by later hands; lower right verso in graphite: yc / LD

About this work

Overview

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) is a print created by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1886, combining etching, drypoint, aquatint, and sandpaper ground techniques on beige laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene maritime scene with a distant port, a flock of seagulls in flight, and moored boats in the foreground, conveying a sense of calm and tranquility.

Technique & Style

Buhot's multi-technique approach achieves textured depth, while the soft gray sky and reflective water, rendered in black ink on warm beige paper, enhance the piece's subtle, naturalistic tone.

History & Provenance

Created in 1886, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

Although often associated with Impressionism due to its capture of a fleeting moment, the piece's emphasis on serenity and traditional techniques situates it at the intersection of Impressionist and more conventional artistic practices of the time.

Legacy

As a representative of late 19th-century printmaking, Le Port aux Mouettes showcases Buhot's skill in blending techniques to evoke atmospheric, everyday scenes, contributing to the broader appreciation of maritime themes in art.

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)
Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls), Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist & collection

Portrait of Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Artist

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

Félix-Hilaire Buhot (1847–1898) was a French artist, born in Valognes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)?

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1886.

Where can I see Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)?

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)?

Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls)?

Museum-quality prints of Le Port aux Mouettes (Port with Seagulls) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.