Artwork

Ryno et Hermangarde

Ryno et Hermangarde, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1880
Ryno et Hermangarde, by Félix-Hilaire Buhot, ink, 1880

Ryno et Hermangarde 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: RYNO ET HERMANGARDE p.158 Tome II); lower center below plate mark stamped in red: FB (Lugt 977); by later hand, lower left in graphite: P. IX; by later hand, lower right in graphite: B/G 106 iv/vi; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 82; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: APG 6931/10

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print Ryno et Hermangarde, executed in 1880, combines several intaglio methods on Japanese paper. The work presents a solitary rider astride a horse poised on a beach, the animal’s front legs lifted as if caught in a sudden movement. Above, a turbulent sky filled with clouds and distant birds adds a dramatic backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a figure in a long coat and hat, suggesting a traveler or perhaps a military officer, confronting the elemental forces of sea and sky. The horse’s dynamic pose and the storm‑laden atmosphere convey a sense of tension between human agency and nature’s unpredictability.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed a complex suite of intaglio techniques, drypoint, soft‑ground etching, salt‑lift, aquatint in spirit ground, and roulette, to achieve varied line quality and tonal depth. The interplay of crisp lines and soft washes creates texture that hints at both realistic detail and the looser, atmospheric qualities associated with late‑19th‑century French printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1880, Ryno et Hermangarde reflects the period when Buhot was experimenting with mixed intaglio processes. The work is catalogued among his prints that explore narrative scenes, though specific ownership records prior to its inclusion in museum collections remain limited.

Context

During the 1880s, French artists were increasingly interested in merging traditional engraving with newer, more expressive techniques. Buhot’s use of Japanese paper aligns with the broader Japonisme trend, while his subject matter, an isolated rider against a stormy seascape, echoes contemporary literary and artistic preoccupations with solitude and the sublime.

Ryno et Hermangarde (Ryno and Hermangarde)
Ryno et Hermangarde (Ryno and Hermangarde), 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.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Ryno et Hermangarde?

Ryno et Hermangarde was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1880.

Where can I see Ryno et Hermangarde?

Ryno et Hermangarde is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ryno et Hermangarde?

Ryno et Hermangarde is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Ryno et Hermangarde?

Museum-quality prints of Ryno et Hermangarde are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.