Who painted The Tiara?

The Tiara was painted by Félix-Hilaire Buhot in 1888.

Where can I see The Tiara?

The Tiara is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Tiara?

The Tiara is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Tiara?

Museum-quality prints of The Tiara are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Tiara

Félix-Hilaire Buhot , 1888

The Tiara is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix-Hilaire Buhot. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in plate: Felix Buhot / 1888; by later hand, lower left verso: Avant; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 030598

About this work

Overview

Félix‑Hilaire Buhot’s print titled The Tiara, executed in 1888, combines etching, drypoint and aquatint on parchment. The composition depicts an elaborate, vertically‑oriented tiara suspended above a watery surface, its surface rendered with fine linear detail and tonal washes that suggest metallic sheen.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif is a richly ornamented tiara, its filigree populated by crosses and fleur‑de‑lis patterns. Beneath the crown, a diminutive cherubic head emerges from the rippling water, gazing upward, creating a juxtaposition of regal adornment and innocent curiosity.

Technique & Style

Buhot employed the precision of etching for the intricate outlines of the tiara, while drypoint contributed soft, velvety lines that enhance depth. Aquatint washes provide subtle gradations of tone, especially in the reflective metal and the atmospheric background, lending the work a nuanced, almost three‑dimensional quality.

Context

Created toward the end of the 19th‑century French print revival, The Tiara reflects contemporary interest in decorative motifs and allegorical imagery. The work remains catalogued as a print on parchment, a material choice that underscores the artist’s attention to surface texture and durability.