Westminster Palace, London

Art Historical Context

Félix Hilaire Buhot'sWestminster Palace, London*1884) captures the iconic Gothic Revival silhouette of London's Houses of Parliament along the Thames, a symbol of British political power rebuilt after the devastating 1834 fire by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. As a French etcher active in the late 19th century,ot traveled extensively, infusing his works with a cosmopolitan flair. This print reflects his fascination with urban grandeur and atmospheric light, bridging Impressionist influences with the etching revival that elevated printmaking to fine art status. Rendered in etching and drypoint on delicate cream *chine*—a thin Asian paper laid over a stronger support for exceptional detail and texture—the plate measures 29 × 39.5 cm. Buhot's masterful technique combines etched lines for precision with drypoint's burr for soft, velvety depths, allowing rich tonal variations through innovative inking and wiping. Multiple states of his prints often reveal his experimental process, making each impression unique. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this work exemplifies Buhot's role in democratizing art through affordable yet exquisite prints. It invites viewers to ponder transatlantic cultural exchanges in an era of empire and innovation, evoking the misty romance of Victorian London.