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Les Noctambules (The Night Prowlers)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

1876

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Les Noctambules (The Night Prowlers) is a 1876 ink by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Félix-Hilaire Buhot
When & what style?: 1876 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

The image shows a dark and moody etching of a nighttime street scene. A lone figure, dressed in a long coat and hat, walks down the center of the street, carrying an umbrella. The figure is surrounded by the silhouettes of several dogs, which appear to be following or accompanying them. The street itself is depicted in a rough, textured manner, with deep grooves and lines etched into the surface of the paper. The overall effect is one of gloom and mystery, with the figure and dogs emerging from the darkness like ghosts. This etching is reminiscent of the work of Félix-Hilaire Buhot, a French artist known for his Impressionist and Realist etchings.