ArtistBoutet, Henri

Artist Years1851-1919

Artist NationalityFrench

TitleStudy of a Gentleman Wearing a Top Hat

Yearca. 1890

MediumDrawing > Pencil/Graphite

DimensionsComposition: 12 X 9 inches

Accession NumberRC1607

NotesHenri Boutet was a French engraver and illustrator. He was nicknamed the "little master of the corset" or the "painter of the midinette".

Boutet was born in Sainte-Hermine (Vendée) in 1851. In the 1890s, he specialized in the production of etchings and drypoints representing women in negligee, in the style of "Parisian" and has had little success with an informed public.

Boutet launched his own publishing house and sold his productions to periodicals such as Le Frou-frou, L'Assiette au Beurre, Le Pêle-Mêle, or artistic publications such as La Plume, L'Estampe Originale, The modern print or even the Hundred Collection. He illustrates many almanacs (The Female Year), calendars, menus. In 1902 he published Les Modes Feminines du XIXe Siecle which met with instant acclaim. His 100 drypoint etchings showed the development of fashion for each year from 1801 to 1900. The illustrations were hand-coloured, with close attention to detail, and a treatment that showed his affection for the subject matter. This collection of original etchings was limited to an edition of 600 copies.
(source: wikipedia.org)