Camille Pissarro is an inspiration
Feb 2, 2023
A French Impressionist who helped change painting forever. Camille Pissarro and Claude Monet organized the first Impressionist Exhibition (A complete history of the 8 Impressionist Exhibits here). Pissarro was the only artist to be in all eight. In his work you can see change of seasons, change of atmosphere, and his life long love affair with how light affects color.
He had key partnerships with many of the artists we treasure as impressionists. Here are a few:
Claude Monet – They organized the 1st Impressionist Exhibition. They were both dedicated to effect of light on color and painted together.
Edgar Degas – Experimented making etchings together. Both are known for working with a variety of new mediums.
George Seurat – They experimented with pointillism and the color wheel together.
Paul Cezanne – One of his most treasured friendships.
“From the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s two artistic legends, Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro, executed numerous paintings side by side as they worked in Pontoise and Auvers.” Exhibition Catalog – MOMA
A life dedicated to the effect of light on color.
In the French countryside, the light, and the color, Pissarro stood side by side with the impressionists and painted. He continues to influence how we enjoy art and painting today.
He also painted the city streets
An Artist works. The learning and the seeing are constant motivators as we strive / reach for the ability to paint how we feel about our subjects. An impression of our love of place, light, color – it is all about the love of something. Artists’ choice.
Here are a few of my paintings; I hope you can see the influence this genre has on my own work.
Thank you for coming along with me as I continue to be inspired by this towering artist. Hope you found it enjoyable.
Michel McNinch
P.S. There is something completely new to share with you next week. I am dusting off a few old friends. : )
P.S.S. Camille Pissarro is currently relevant in our own U.S. Supreme Court.
US Supreme Court to rule in case involving Pissarro painting looted by Nazis. Read the Jan 19, 2023 article here.
12 Comments
Was not familiar with Pissarro, although I knew the name. Thank you for this. He has now become a favorite. Not only his color, but his brushwork..
Hello Julie! So happy to hear it. I was always disappointed that there were. not more in the museums by him. Recently found out 1500 were lost during the Franco-Prussian war. Must be the reason, but he must have painted non-stop for there to still be so many. And so grateful! Thanks for your comment. It shows me I am on the right path! : )
Love seeing the Pissarro paintings and the influence it has on your work and teaching!
Thank you for responding with so much curiosity and appreciation. It makes the lesson so enjoyable.
Thank you for introducing me to Pissarro. I enjoyed doing the studies you asked us to do. I especially love your “Fishing Hole”..
You are most welcome; thank you for doing such an awesome job with it! : )
That was a wonderful lesson. Awesome ! I know where that fishing hole is located.
You have taken me there many a time. Bream are bedding soon…..
Great inspirations, Michel ! Love the blog, always looking forward to seeing it in my reader. AND I also love your paintings…. the influence of Pissaro comes through. You nailed it!
Thank you so much, Virginia. The last one of my paintings above, “Rainy River Monday,” was painting en plein air with Mary on the Congaree River. So glad they never sold. I was meant to keep them. Treasure. : )
I especially loved a prayer for Nancy, although they are all beautiful! Right? Beautiful lesson art also!! Have a wonderful week! Tina 💜
Michel, I have beautiful memories of your pastel paintings. In fact I have the pastel portrait you made of our model, Marion. Love the new pastels. You are a great artist and painter.