Impressions of Rain, Rouen
Original title: Impressions of Rain, Rouen
kurzbeschreibung
In 1883, while in Rouen, Camille Pissarro made an etching that captures everyday life in the rain. For this small print, measuring about 12.3 by 12.6 cm, he used etching, drypoint, and aquatint. It shows how Pissarro translated Impressionist atmosphere into printmaking.
Description
People and horses stand or sit at a water basin covered by rain. Dark, soaked clothing defines the figures; some horses are ridden. Buildings and streetlamps appear in the background. Muted, monochromatic tones and diffuse light heighten the rainy impression. The style is realistic, yet light and movement are treated in an Impressionist manner.
Context
In 1883 Pissarro was in Rouen and observed urban life there. During this period he experimented intensively with printmaking techniques. The small plate format suggests a direct, personal working method. In the 19th century, Rouen was a popular destination for artists because of its medieval architecture and lively harbor.
Impact
A calm, contemplative mood emanates from the print and draws the viewer into the damp air of the rainy day. Fine hatching and soft aquatint tones coalesce into an almost tangible texture. Pissarro succeeds in evoking mood and atmosphere without color.
Technique
Pissarro combined etching, drypoint, and aquatint to achieve graduated gray values and gentle transitions. Strong, dark lines come from the drypoint, while aquatint contributes tonal areas. The plate was printed on a sheet of 28 by 22.3 cm; the image area measures only about 12.3 by 12.6 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)