Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)

View from the Versailles Road, Louveciennes

Camille Pissarro was an important member of the Impressionist group, exhibiting at all eight of their exhibitions between 1874 and 1886. His main subject matter was the rural landscape and agricultural workers. Like his fellow Impressionists he was dedicated to painting outdoors (in all weathers).

Pissarro moved to Louveciennes in 1869 but the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War the following year and subsequent siege of Paris forced him to leave. He eventually ended up in London, as did Monet. When he returned after the war he found his house had been used by Prussian troops and over a thousand paintings left behind were lost. This painting from 1870 shows a couple admiring the view towards Paris from Louveciennes. Hindsight gives it the character of a poignant farewell.

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