# Arbres et Bateaux (Trees and Boats)

**Félix-Hilaire Buhot** (French, 1847–1898)  
etching on laid paper  
plate: 6.9 x 23.1 cm (2 11/16 x 9 1/8 in.) sheet: 21.5 x 31.2 cm (8 7/16 x 12 5/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2006.68.1. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.135583.html).

## About this work

Félix-Hilaire Buhot made this. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a sparse drawing of a landscape. A tree with elongated branches is on the left side, with a twist in its trunk. Near the horizon, there are several sailing boats on calm water. The composition suggests a vast openness and distance. The sketching is subtle and precise, focusing on gentle contouring and minimal detail. The color palette is monochromatic, dominated by a muted brown tone. The overall impact is serene and understated, inviting the viewer to focus on the hints of narrative within the scene.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Félix-Hilaire Buhot](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/felix-hilaire-buhot)

French, 1847–1898

Buhot was a leading figure of the French etching revival of the 1870s and 1880s. He made atmospheric views of Paris, London and Normandy, often in rain, snow or fog, combining etching with drypoint, aquatint and other techniques to suggest weather and light. He is known for his “symphonic margins”, small sketches around the main image that comment on it, and he experimented with papers and inks for each impression.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Print
- Real size: about 2½ × 9 in (7 × 23 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: Tree, Water, Boat, Figures
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1663.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1663/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/arbres-et-bateaux-trees-and-boats-nga-135583).