Peasant Woman (recto); Boy with a Fishing Pole (verso)

The dual-sided drawing, Peasant Woman (recto); Boy with a Fishing Pole (verso), is attributed to Camille Pissarro, the renowned French artist (1830-1903). Created sometime within the period 1850-1903, this work on cream wove paper showcases the artist's observational skill across two distinct but related genre scenes. The recto side is rendered in graphite, structurally defining the figure of the peasant woman, whose form is subtly enhanced with washes of watercolor. This technique suggests an effort to capture not only the physical outlines of the subject but also the atmospheric light or color present in the initial study.

The choice of medium and subject matter reflects Pissarro's enduring interest in rural life and the working class, a thematic focus consistent with his artistic explorations in France throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. The reverse side, Boy with a Fishing Pole, is treated solely in graphite, indicating a quick, structural sketch likely made during the same observational session or shortly thereafter. This practice of utilizing both sides of the paper speaks to the economical working methods common among artists producing preparatory drawings or studies for future paintings or prints.

Although Pissarro is most famous for his pioneering contributions to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism through oil painting, these intimate drawings reveal the essential drafting skill foundational to his body of work. This double study resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, preserving the preparatory details of the artist’s process. Drawings such as this are key resources for scholars examining Pissarro’s evolution, and high-quality prints derived from works of this era are frequently made available for study through public domain art initiatives.