17. Félix Buhot
(1847-1898)
Matinée d’Hiver au Quai de l’Hôtel-Dieu (Winter Afternoon on the Quay of the Charity Hospital)

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Buhot, Matinée d’Hiver

Matinée d’Hiver au Quai de l’Hôtel-Dieu (Winter Afternoon on the Quay of the Charity Hospital)

Etching and drypoint, 1876, B/G 123 iv/xv, 238 x 322 mm. For many years, in the English-speaking world at least, Buhot’s most famous image, reproduced in virtually every book on nineteenth-century etching, has been this one, familiarly known as “The Cab Stand.” It is a work that went through many states and many different printings and, while the most desirable impressions are probably those after publication, when Buhot reworked the plate to various different effects, the published states can be quite fine. This one is before certain small modifications in the background and before the number of “chimneys” directly above the first cab was increased from four to eight. The work is one of Buhot’s best “weather” prints and the atmosphere is almost palpably cold and wet. A fine impression on laid paper with large margins as published by Cadart. One must be cautious about this image, as impressions appear on the market with the printed artist name and title but without the publisher’s address. These are deceptive photo-etched forgeries.