Nude Women

The work Nude Women by Camille Pissarro is an important example of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century printmaking, executed as a lithograph between 1891 and 1901. Though celebrated primarily as a foundational figure in French Impressionist painting, Pissarro spent his later years deepening his engagement with graphic arts, exploring the expressive potential of mediums like etching and lithography.

This print reflects a turn toward intimate figural studies, contrasting with the expansive urban and rural scenes that dominated much of the artist’s earlier career. Pissarro’s approach to the subject matter is notable; he eschews the idealized, polished forms of academic nudes, opting instead for a more naturalistic depiction of the female form, rendered with loose, searching lines characteristic of his mature drawing style.

As an artist operating in France, Pissarro was committed to expanding his technical range. Lithography, a planographic printing technique, allowed him to achieve subtle tonal variations and textural effects that mimic the immediacy of chalk or crayon on paper. The medium was also crucial for producing prints that could reach a wider audience than unique paintings. This particular piece showcases Pissarro’s ability to define volume and light purely through the complex interplay of shadow and line.

This significant work is housed in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its date of creation and cultural impact, this lithograph is widely referenced in the study of modern prints and is often available through public domain resources, cementing Pissarro’s legacy not just as a painter, but as a master graphic artist.