Early Life and Training

Camille Pissarro, a Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter, was born on July 10, 1830, on the island of St. Thomas (now in the US Virgin Islands). His father, Frederick Pissarro, was of Portuguese Jewish descent with French nationality, and his mother, Rachel Manzano de Pissarro, was from a French-Jewish family. Pissarro's early education took place at the Savary Academy in Passy near Paris, where he developed an appreciation for French art masters. He later studied under Anton Melbye, a Danish painter, and worked alongside Georges Seurat and Paul Signac when he adopted the Neo-Impressionist style at the age of 54.

Artistic Contributions and Style

Pissarro's importance in art history lies in his contributions to both Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. He was a pivotal figure in establishing a collective society of fifteen aspiring artists in 1873, earning him the title "dean of the Impressionist painters" due to his wisdom, kindness, and balanced personality. Pissarro's artistic style focused on portraying individuals in natural settings without "artifice or grandeur." He was the only artist to have shown his work at all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions from 1874 to 1886. His work acted as a father figure not only to the Impressionists but also to four major Post-Impressionists, including Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin.

Notable Works and Legacy

Some of Pissarro's notable works include:

• Red Roofs (1897), a painting showcasing his Impressionist style, available for viewing at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
• View from My Window, Le Havre (1902), a representation of his Neo-Impressionist work, featured at the WahooArt collection.
• Camille Pissarro's artwork can be found in various museums, including the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more, with many available for viewing on WahooArt's Camille Pissarro page.

Key Points: - Born: July 10, 1830, St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) - Nationality: Danish-French - Art Movement: Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism - Notable Works: Red Roofs, View from My Window, Le Havre - Featured in: Musée d'Orsay, Metropolitan Museum of Art, WahooArt Divisionism Art Movement and Orovida Camille Pissarro, the artist's granddaughter, are also featured on WahooArt.

Early Life and Training

Camille Pissarro, a Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter, was born on July 10, 1830, on the island of St. Thomas (now in the US Virgin Islands). His father, Frederick Pissarro, was of Portuguese Jewish descent with French nationality, and his mother, Rachel Manzano de Pissarro, was from a French-Jewish family. Pissarro's early artistic training began at the Savary Academy in Passy near Paris. He developed an appreciation for French art masters and was encouraged by Monsieur Savary to draw from nature. At 17, he returned to St. Thomas and continued drawing during his breaks and after work as a cargo clerk.

Artistic Career

In 1855, Pissarro moved to Paris, where he worked as an assistant to Danish painter Anton Melbye. He studied paintings by Courbet, Daubigny, Millet, and Camille Corot, whose style impressed him. Pissarro eventually found the teaching methods of École des Beaux-Arts and Académie Suisse "stifling" and sought alternative instruction from Corot. Pissarro's initial paintings were in line with the standards of the time, displayed at the Paris Salon. His first painting was accepted and exhibited in 1859. He worked in the traditional manner to satisfy the tastes of the official committee.

Contribution to Impressionism

Pissarro is the only artist to have shown his work at all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions, from 1874 to 1886. He acted as a father figure not only to the Impressionists but also to four major Post-Impressionists: Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin.

• Pissarro's Portrait of Eugene Murer showcases his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.
• His artworks can be found in various museums, including the Museum Kunstsalon Franke Schenk and the Museum Frieder Burda.
• Pissarro's legacy continues to inspire artists, with his work being featured in exhibitions like The Women of Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka.

Legacy

Pissarro's importance resides in his contributions to both Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. He remains a pivotal figure in the art world, with his work continuing to be celebrated and studied by art enthusiasts. Recommended Reading: The Museum Frieder Burda (Germany) - A Haven for Art Lovers Camille Pissarro on Wikipedia