← Camille Pissarro

Marketplace in Pontoise

Original title: Marketplace in Pontoise

Artist

Camille Pissarro

Date

1886

Medium

Graphite, pen and black-gummed ink on buff wove paper (glossy on verso); right margin torn from notebook

Dimensions

6 5/8 in. × 5 in. (16.8 × 12.7 cm) Framed: 21 1/4 × 16 1/4 in. (54 × 41.3 cm)

Credit line

Robert Lehman Collection, 1975

kurzbeschreibung

In 1886 Camille Pissarro captured the bustle of a market square in Pontoise in a drawing. Unlike many of his oil paintings of the same location, this sheet combines graphite with black-gummed ink on smooth, wove buff paper that came from a notebook. The right margin is torn off, underscoring the sketchy nature of the work.

Description

On the paper, several figures in traditional clothing group together, some standing still, others conversing. Behind them rise buildings with roofs and windows, forming a small-town backdrop. The arrangement feels asymmetrical and tilts slightly to the right, while the light remains soft without harsh shadows, creating a calm overall mood.

Context

The sheet was made during Pissarro's stay in Pontoise, where he lived between 1883 and 1884. It belongs to a sketchbook in which the artist studied urban life. The black-gummed ink, a common technique in the 1880s, allowed him to make quick yet precise records.

Impact

The soft light and loose strokes evoke a quiet atmosphere rooted in everyday life. Because the buildings appear more detailed than the figures, a lively yet peaceful picture of the market emerges that does not overwhelm the viewer.

Technique

Graphite and black-gummed ink were used on smooth, wove buff paper whose verso is glossy. The right edge is torn from a notebook. The lines are carefully placed, often staccato, to bring out textures and contours.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)