Market in Pointoise

Market in Pointoise by Camille Pissarro French, 1830-1903, is a significant late-period print created during the transitional decade spanning 1890 to 1900. Pissarro executed this work as a lithograph in black, applying the ink to delicate cream wove paper. This sheet was then laid down onto a sturdier ivory wove support using the highly precise chine collé technique. This meticulous layering process allowed the artist to achieve a rich density of line and subtle tonal variations, maximizing the potential of the print medium.

The subject matter reflects Pissarro’s enduring commitment to depicting scenes of daily life and communal activity in rural France. Although recognized as a founding figure of Impressionism, Pissarro consistently returned to the bustling reality of the marketplace, particularly those near Pontoise, where he resided for significant periods. This piece captures the structured chaos and vitality of the open-air market, detailing figures gathered amongst temporary stalls and interacting beneath a dense canopy. The composition relies on economic forms and sharp contrasts to suggest movement and the characteristic energy of the crowds.

As a masterful example of late nineteenth-century French printmaking, this work demonstrates Pissarro’s continued technical innovation in the graphic arts. This impression of Market in Pointoise is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key reference for the study of the artist's prolific graphic output. As influential works like this enter the public domain, they continue to educate and inspire audiences worldwide.