Who painted Les Adieux (The Parting)?

Les Adieux (The Parting) was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1880.

Where can I see Les Adieux (The Parting)?

Les Adieux (The Parting) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Les Adieux (The Parting)?

Les Adieux (The Parting) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Les Adieux (The Parting)?

Museum-quality prints of Les Adieux (The Parting) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Les Adieux (The Parting)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1880

Les Adieux (The Parting) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in margin in plate: Felix Buhot inv. sc; lower left in plate: Les Adieux (p 77) tome I; lower center below plate mark stamped in red: FB (Lugt 977); by later hand, lower left in graphite: P. V; by later hand, lower right in graphite: B/G 101 iii/v; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 70; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: APG 6931/10

About this work

Overview

Buhot employs a complex technique combining etching, drypoint, roulette, and aquatint on Japanese paper to achieve rich tonal variations and atmospheric depth.

Félix-Hilaire Buhot's 1880 etching, Les Adieux (The Parting), captures an intimate moment of separation within a dimly lit interior. The composition centers on two figures standing in close proximity; one figure clutches a small dog while the other leans in, suggesting a final, tender exchange. The background is rendered in deep shadow, punctuated only by the faint outline of a doorway and a shelf bearing sparse objects, which isolates the emotional weight of the encounter.

Buhot employs a complex technique combining etching, drypoint, roulette, and aquatint on Japanese paper to achieve rich tonal variations and atmospheric depth. Distinctive to Buhot's mature style, the image is framed by a wide margin filled with rough, spontaneous sketches of faces and abstract shapes. These marginalia function as visual echoes of the central narrative, representing scattered thoughts or the psychological residue of the parting.

Created during a period when Buhot was pioneering the revival of the etching medium in France, this work exemplifies his interest in modern life and his innovative approach to the print as a complete artistic statement rather than a mere reproduction. The piece stands as a significant example of his ability to blend narrative intimacy with experimental graphic techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts two figures in close proximity within a dimly lit interior. One figure cradles a small dog while the other leans forward, suggesting a moment of farewell or intimate conversation. A faint doorway and a modest shelf with assorted objects frame the scene, while peripheral sketches of faces and abstract shapes echo fleeting thoughts or memories surrounding the encounter.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a hybrid printmaking process: etched lines define the figures, drypoint adds delicate, velvety edges, roulette work creates fine tonal textures, and aquatint with spirit ground supplies broad, grainy shadows. The interplay of crisp incisions and smudged areas generates a chiaroscuro effect, emphasizing the somber mood and the tactile quality of the paper support.

History & Provenance

Created in 1880, Les Adieux belongs to the period when Buhot was exploring the expressive potential of mixed intaglio techniques. The print has circulated through private collections and museum holdings, reflecting its recognition among connoisseurs of 19th‑century French printmaking. Documentation traces its ownership to several European collectors before entering its present institutional context.