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Camille Pissarro’s devotion to plein air painting with
its interest in capturing light and atmosphere were an
inspiration to his more youthful peers, such as Renoir, Monet,
and Cézanne, lending him the moniker “Father of Impressionism.”
Disillusioned by the strictures of artistic style
imposed by the Salon, in 1873 Pissarro gathered 15 artists to
draft a charter for a new organization. With artistic freedom in
mind and Pissarro as their guiding force, the first
Impressionist exhibition was held the following year.
In the 1880s, Pissarro began to experiment with new
techniques, like pointillism. He continued to influence younger
painters because of his willingness to embrace new ideas.
Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.
Born on the island of St. Thomas to a Danish-French family.
Moves to Paris and begins studying art with masters of the Realist style.
Meets Monet, Guillaumin, and Cézanne. Exhibits at the Salon.
After rejection from the Salon, he displays his work at the Salon des Refusés.
Moves to London during the Franco-Prussian War and meetings art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel and reconnects with Monet.
Settles in Pontoise and paints regularly en plein air, an example of which, The Banks of the Oise near Pontoise, is in the collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and reproduced above.
Creates the Anonymous Society of Artists, Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers to create a path for artists that is independent of the Salon.
Participates in the first Impressionist exhibition; the only artist to participate in all eight.
Meets Georges Seurat and Paul Signac and takes to the Neo-Impressionist style, believing that it was a natural advancement from Impressionism.
Meets Vincent van Gogh and sees promise in the young artist, instructing him on the artistic representation of light and color.
Paul Durand-Ruel mounts a large exhibition of Pissarro’s work, resulting in renewed interest in and success for the artist.
Dies in Paris.
1. Self Portrait (detail), about 1898, oil on canvas. Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, 1985.R.44. Image Courtesy Dallas Museum of Art.
2. Piette's House at Montfoucault, 1874, oil on canvas. The Clark Art Institute, Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark, 1941, 1955.826.
3. Boulevard Montmartre in Paris, 1897, oil on canvas. The State Hermitage Museum, ГЭ-9002.
4. Apple Harvest, 1888, oil on canvas. Dallas Museum of Art, Munger Fund, 1955.17.M. Image Courtesy Dallas Museum of Art.
5. The Banks of the Oise Near Pontoise, 1873. The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, James E. Roberts Fund, 40.252.