Church and Farm at Éragny

Church and Farm at Éragny by Camille Pissarro French, 1830-1903 is a delicate and masterful print created late in the artist’s career in 1895. This Impressionist master, known primarily for his commitment to plein air painting, frequently explored the intricacies of printmaking during his mature period. The work utilizes the combined media of etching and drypoint, rendered in deep black ink on ivory laid paper, showcasing Pissarro's meticulous draftsmanship. The subtle tonal variations inherent in etching, combined with the rich, velvety burr characteristic of drypoint, elevate this image beyond a simple sketch and highlight his technical mastery of the graphic arts.

The subject matter centers on the pastoral environs surrounding Pissarro’s beloved home in Éragny-sur-Epte, a village in Northern France where he lived from 1884 until his death. During this vital phase, Pissarro focused intensely on capturing the rural structures, agricultural labor, and changing seasons of his local environment, shifting his attention from the bustling urban scenes of earlier Impressionism to intimate village views. The composition features the prominent structure of the village church, perfectly balanced by the adjacent farm buildings and the softly rendered trees of the surrounding landscape.

This important print, which demonstrates the artist's sustained commitment to documenting rural life, is classified as a fine art print and resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a key example of Pissarro’s late-career output, the availability of public domain reproductions ensures that this piece remains accessible for study worldwide.