Camille Pissarro: French Impressionist
Camille Pissarro (1830 – 1903)
“Painting, art in general, enchants me. It is my life. What else matters? When you put all your soul into a work, all that is noble in you, you cannot fail to find a kindred soul who understands you, and you do not need a host of such spirits. Is not that all an artist should wish for”? (Camille Pissarro)
Pissarro was born in 1830 in St. Thomas, the West Indies. In 1841 he was sent to school in Paris where he created his first drawings. By 1847 he returned to St. Thomas to work for his father which he did not like and consequently ran away to Caracas, Venezuela, for 2 years to paint. His first pictures were West Indian scenes in an – Oriental Style -. In 1855 his father finally allowed him to study art in Paris. He became friends with Monet, Cezanne and Guillaumin and played a key role in the development of Impressionism. He was the only artist to show in all 8 of the Impressionist exhibitions. For him Impressionism was a movement which allowed artistic emancipation. He believed strongly in free thought and speech. Before he introduced figures into his work in 1880, giving them a more decorative character, his paintings resembled most those of Monet. Later on Pissarro was attracted to Seurat’s Pointillism and saw it as a logical development of Impressionism. He adopted Seurat’s techniques but with limited success. Camille Pissarro was born in the West Indies, but studied in Paris under Corot. He also studied with Monet at the Academie Suisse, who encouraged him to join the Impressionists. Both Monet and Pissarro lived in London from 1870 to 1871 to avoid the Franco-Prussian War. From 1885-1888, Pissarro explored the divisionism technique of Neoimpressionist, Seurat, before returning to his original style. Confined indoors because of his failing eyesight, Pissarro painted views of Rouen and Paris from 1896 to his death.
Music by Enya: *Shepard Moons*
Duration : 0:3:45
[youtube LyQvjqychzA]
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Thank you so much …
Thank you so much sirhcnehcsig….. It’s a pleasure to know that you’re enjoying this video!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Thank you …
Thank you starrynight for introducing Pissaro’s artworks, love his beautiful paintings … and Enya’s song as well… watching this video is a true pleasure!!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Thanks Saph…… …
Thanks Saph……Pissarro’s work is lovely.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Nice! I love the …
Nice! I love the colours in 1:43 and the light in 1:59.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Hi dnadsy52…..I’m …
Hi dnadsy52…..I’m so pleased to know that you enjoyed this video. Pissarro and Enya together are a lovely pairing indeed, thank you so much for your sweet comment.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
What a Beautiful ” …
What a Beautiful “jewel” starrynight, a great painter, his pictures of an elevated Beauty, among the impressionists my preferetis…you have created an extraordinary video in the sequence of his painting…and..Enya Fantastic interlacement.. I always bow me in front of the Beauty…Merci so much..d
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I like how Pissarro …
I like how Pissarro thought of light as inseparable from the things it illuminates. By painting with bold strokes of fluid light he could reach beyond the sense of sight, into the realm of emotion. The serene music of Enya shines brilliantly alongside the shimmering silvery or golden light that bathes the colors of his landscapes. I admire his profound belief in the benefits of “enthusiasm” & “ardor.” He strove for freedom, to keep an open mind, to be tolerant of others & insatiably curious.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Thank you iris. …
Thank you iris. All of these quotes are wonderful!
I adore the airy feel of much of Pissarro’s work….as you say his gift is the ability to convey “lightness and loveliness in his paintings”. The beauty of his artwork speaks for itself.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Your video captured …
Your video captured Pissarro’s gift for unforgettable lightness & loveliness in his paintings. His quotes hint at the beliefs asserted in this art: “Everything is beautiful, all that matters is to be able to interpret.” “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” “It is absurd to look for perfection.” ” Paint the essential character of things.” “I began to understand my sensations, to know what I wanted, at around the age of 40, but only vaguely.”