The Geese

The Geese is a significant print by Camille Pissarro French, 1830-1903, created in 1888. This work showcases the artist’s dedication to printmaking later in his career, utilizing the demanding technique of drypoint. The image, rendered in black on tan laid paper, achieves a unique velvety quality typical of drypoint, where the burr raised by the needle holds the ink. Pissarro further refined the plate through burnishing, selectively smoothing areas to control the distribution of tone and light, creating subtle atmospheric effects that highlight the movement and form of the animals.

Dating to the late 1880s, this piece was produced during a period when Pissarro was experimenting intensely with new theories of composition and draftsmanship, though his prints often retained a softer, more traditional Impressionistic approach to rural subjects. This image captures an intimate observation of farm life in France, moving beyond pure landscape to focus on anecdotal detail. The careful arrangement and focus on the geese as central figures demonstrate the artist’s characteristic attention to the humble realities of agricultural labor and domestic animals.

As a fine example of Pissarro’s graphic output, the subtlety of this impression underscores his profound skill as a printmaker. The work is classified as a print and currently resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Because of its historical significance and age, high-quality images of this French master's diverse oeuvre are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing wider study of the evolution of the print medium in the nineteenth century.