Rating and value of works, paintings, drawings by Camille Pissarro

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Rating and value of the artist Camille Pissarro  

The artist Camille Pissarro leaves behind a classic body of work, composed mainly of pointillist landscape scenes. He studied art with Picot at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Henceforth, the prices of his works rise with the auctioneers' gavels. His paintings are highly prized, especially by French buyers.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges between €20 and €21,115,500, a very substantial range but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Pissarro's works.

In 2020, the painting Gelée banche, jeune paysanne faisant du feu sold for €13,576,500.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of artist Camille Pissarro

Pissarro is a painter falling within Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. He is most famous for experimenting with the pointillist technique, with Maximilien Luce. He produced a large output : oil on canvas, drawing, watercolor and print.

Camille Pissarro, pillar of the Impressionists

In order to understand Camille Pissarro's work, it's essential to delve into his life and analyze the impact he had on the Impressionist movement.

Born on July 10, 1830 on St. Thomas, an island then under Danish rule, Pissarro is a Franco-Danish artist who left his mark on art history.

As a founding member of the Impressionist movement, he played a crucial role in the development of this innovative style, which revolutionized painting.

Pissarro was deeply attached to nature and the faithful depiction of scenes from everyday life. His ability to capture the effects of light and color is a defining characteristic of his work.

Boldly and masterfully applied strokes of color bring his paintings to life, where every nuance of light is carefully studied to reproduce the atmosphere of a specific moment.

Pissarro, while famous for his own work and contribution to art history, also throughout his career trained and took under his wing numerous artists, including Paul Gauguin, or Paul Cézanne.

They in turn became undisputed and highly important artists in their own time, and remain so to this day.

By sharing his knowledge and innovative approach, Pissarro contributed to the emergence of new talent and the spread of Impressionist ideas, leaving an indelible mark on the history of modern art.

Despite his growing fame, Pissarro often faced financial difficulties and belated recognition.

Yet he never stopped painting with unwavering determination, continuing to experiment with color, light and composition. He explored a variety of subjects throughout his career, from urban and rural landscapes to scenes of peasant life, portraits and still lifes.

The quality of his work lies in the apparent simplicity of his compositions, which conceals great technical complexity and a deep understanding of human nature.

For example, in his depictions of rural landscapes, Pissarro manages to capture not only the beauty of fields and villages, but also the very essence of peasant life, with an eye imbued with respect and tenderness.

Early on, he distinguished himself by his interest in drawing, encouraged by his family of shopkeepers. His mother, Rachel Manzano-Pissarro, played a central role in his upbringing, carefully supporting his artistic aspirations.

At the age of twelve, Camille was sent to Paris to pursue his studies. It was here, in the artistic capital of the world, that he immersed himself in European art, discovering the works of the classical masters and nurturing his taste for painting.

However, it was on his return to St. Thomas, where he collaborated with the Danish painter Fritz Melbye, that he began to truly commit himself to an artistic career.

In 1855, he returned to Paris, determined to become a painter. He entered the École des Beaux-Arts, but it was above all the teaching of Camille Corot, a renowned landscape painter, that profoundly influenced his artistic development.

Corot, with his sensitive approach to nature, had a lasting influence on Pissarro, who turned away from academic conventions to explore a freer, more spontaneous style of painting.

Pissarro's career takes a decisive turn when he meets other young artists in search of renewal, such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Alfred Sisley.

Together, they formed the core of the Impressionist movement, characterized by a desire to capture the light and immediacy of the moment through vivid strokes of color and innovative composition.

In 1870, the Franco-Prussian war forced Pissarro to flee his home in Louveciennes for England. On his return, he discovered that the majority of his works had been destroyed, a loss that could have discouraged him.

However, Pissarro continued to paint with perseverance, actively participating in Impressionist exhibitions that defied the conventions of the official Salons.

Despite being the eldest of the Impressionist group, Pissarro remained humble and generous, acting as a mentor to younger artists such as Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin.

He not only blazed his own trail, but also encouraged his colleagues to experiment and innovate, consolidating his influence in the development of the movement.

At the end of his life, Pissarro turned increasingly to urban scenes. Fascinated by the hustle and bustle of cities, he painted the boulevards of Paris, the harbors of Rouen and the squares of Dieppe with particular sensitivity, masterfully capturing the nuances of light and the movements of everyday life. 

Camille Pissarro died on November 13, 1903 in Paris, leaving behind him an immense legacy.

Recognized as one of the masters of Impressionism, he is celebrated today for his essential contribution to modern art, both through his works and the profound influence he exerted on a whole generation of artists.

Focus on Boulevard de Montmartre, la nuit, 1898

This painting by Camille Pissarro, entitled Boulevard Montmartre, la nuit, is an impressive work that captures the vibrant essence of Parisian urban life at the end of the 19th century.

Pissarro, with his sharp eye for detail and mastery of light, succeeds here in capturing the animation of this famous boulevard, immersed in the nocturnal atmosphere.

The painting is dominated by a dark color palette, where deep blues and blacks predominate, but are enlivened by the luminous flashes of streetlamps and illuminated windows.

These points of light, scattered across the canvas, create a striking contrast with the ambient darkness, lending the painting an almost cinematic dimension. Reflections on the wet pavement add a fluid, almost liquid texture, reinforcing the impression of a Paris alive and in motion.

Pissarro, faithful to the Impressionist spirit, does not seek to depict every detail precisely. Instead, he uses quick, bold strokes of color to evoke crowds, vehicles and buildings.

This technique gives a sense of blur, as if the scene were seen through a fine rain or in a moment of turmoil.

The buildings on either side of the boulevard stand imposing, but are somewhat dissolved in darkness, letting light and movement become the work's true protagonists.

The viewer finds himself almost immersed in the scene, feeling the pulse of the city, the rumor of the crowd, and the softness of the night.

Boulevard Montmartre, la nuit is a perfect example of Pissarro's talent for capturing the essence of an ephemeral moment, transforming a simple street scene into a poetic depiction of Parisian life.

This is a work in which light dances with shadow, offering a poignant glimpse of Paris's nocturnal bustle.

Pissarro's country landscapes

Camille Pissarro's imprint on his period 

His works are part of the permanent collections of many prestigious museums around the world, and Camille Pissarro is today considered one of the major artists of the Impressionist movement and a precursor of modern art.

Today, his work is highly prized at auction, and given the magnitude of his output, collectors play a major role in preserving his work.

Camille Pissarro will have influenced many artists, such as Louis Valtat. 

Recognizing the artist's signature

Not all of Pissarro's works are signed. They may be at the bottom of the painting, but if you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised to be sure of the originality of your property.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Camille Pissarro, don't hesitate to request a free valuation using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, not forgetting to send you ad hoc information about it.

If you wish to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.