Camille Pissarro: Letters to His Son Lucien

by Lucien Pissarro, John Rewald (Editor)

Pissarro's weekly letters to his son Lucien, covering the dramatic period of Impressionism from 1883 to the painter's death in 1905, form what might be called a diary of the Impressionist school. In these wise, reflective, warmhearted missives, Pissarro, called the father of Impressionism, presents the growth and development of Impressionism and the struggles of its practitioners, as well as pungent and evocative observations on the politics, literature, and daily life of France in the late 19th century. But more than anything, these letters reveal an artist elucidating the inner resources of his craft: Lucien Pissarro, a contemporary of van Gogh, Seurat, and Toulouse-Lautrec, was himself a student of painting, and it was to the young artist above all that his father communicated the unique and illuminating perspectives on art contained in these documents. Brilliantly annotated and introduced by the renowned art historian John Rewald, and featuring a new preface by Barbara Stern Shapiro, Curator for Special Projects at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this edition of the Letters restores to print one of the most intimate and enjoyable views ever offered of the Impressionist period.

Genres: Art, Biography, France

399 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Lucien Pissarro (20 February 1863 – 10 July 1944) was a French landscape painter, printmaker, wood engraver, designer, and printer of fine books.

He was the son of French Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro and his wife Julie (née Vellay).He studied with his father and—like his siblings Georges and Félix—he spent his formative years surrounded by his father's fellow artists, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who frequented the Pissarro home. He was influenced by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac.

Reviews

[Mari Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Vincent van Gogh, Pissarro was not only a great artist but a prolific letter writer, particularly to his son, Lucien, who was also an artist. Also like van Gogh, and like Marcel Proust, Pissarro stressed the need for one desiring to achieve a goal to work every day towards the completion of that goal, whether it is to become an artist, or write a master work, or whatever it is one's heart's desire to become and do. He also, like Vincent and Marcel, had to "go against" the wishes of family to become an artist and in Pissarro's case, to encourage his son to be an artist as well. Pissarro's letters are inspiring, thought-provoking and provide deep insight into the mind of this artist, writer and father.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight intoe the world of the impressionists and in particular the struggles and frustrations met by the Impressionists while developing the style. It's short letters which are easy to read so you can pick it up and put it down, but you inevitably keep on reading to find out the next installment.
An easy read for anyone really.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was amazing to read this book and recognize so many of the same issues artists deal with today: dealing with dealers, fickle collectors, not making sales, having to think about sales instead of making art, as well as the joy of making work and the worry of it being what you meant for it to be. It was fun to get a look into the life of a painter during the late 1800s.

[Jennifer]

Didn't finish but loved it.