The Houses of Parliament, London

The Houses of Parliament, London is a significant print created by the French Impressionist master Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), executed between 1892 and 1902. This influential work, classified as a print, utilizes the specialized technique of lithography, rendered in black ink upon off-white wove paper. Although Pissarro is primarily celebrated for his vibrant color palettes and Impressionist paintings, his later exploration of printmaking demonstrates his technical versatility and commitment to capturing the essence of modern urban life through subtle tonal variation.

The piece originated while Pissarro was working in France, but it captures the monumental architecture of the British capital. The subject matter reflects the artist's broader shift in focus during the 1890s, moving away from bucolic rural scenes toward documenting grand civic structures and the unique atmosphere of cosmopolitan cities. This particular lithograph belongs to a period often characterized by the artist’s interest in repeating motifs across different media, capturing the same view under varying atmospheric conditions.

Pissarro’s masterful control of line and shading is evident in the detailed modeling achieved through the complex lithographic process. As part of a later body of work, this piece significantly contributes to the artist's legacy in the graphic arts. Today, high-quality images and prints of this work are often available through institutional public domain initiatives, increasing access to this key example of French printmaking history. The original lithograph is held in the prestigious permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.