Artwork

Woman Sitting by a Pond

Woman Sitting by a Pond, by Camille Pissarro, 1874
Woman Sitting by a Pond, by Camille Pissarro, 1874

Woman Sitting by a Pond is a print by the Impressionist artist Camille Pissarro. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Woman Sitting by a Pond is a print by Camille Pissarro, created during his experimental period with transfer lithography. This technique allowed the preservation of drawn lines and paper texture, resulting in a distinctive aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene scene of a woman sitting by a pond, her back turned, with a hat in hand. The composition conveys a sense of calm and tranquility, characteristic of Pissarro's ability to capture everyday moments.

Technique & Style

Pissarro employed transfer lithography, starting with a pen and ink study transferred to the printing surface. This method retained the expressive quality of his initial drawing. The print's loose, airy style, with blurred tree edges and soft marks, evokes the shimmer of sunlight on water, aligning with Impressionist principles.

History & Provenance

Only two impressions of Woman Sitting by a Pond were printed, reflecting Pissarro's preference for limited, informal editions during this experimental phase. The exact dates and ownership history are not specified in the provided information.

Context

This print exemplifies Pissarro's ventures beyond painting into printmaking, a lesser-known but significant aspect of his oeuvre. It demonstrates his adaptability and innovation within the Impressionist movement.

Legacy

Woman Sitting by a Pond contributes to the broader recognition of Pissarro's contributions to Impressionist printmaking. Its technique and style influence later artists exploring the intersection of drawing and printmaking techniques.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Camille Pissarro

Artist

Camille Pissarro

Jacob Abraham Camille Pissarro ( piss-AR-oh; French: ; 10 July 1830 – 13 November 1903) was a Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter born on the island of Saint Thomas (now in the US Virgin Islands, but then in the…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.