The Plow

The Plow by Camille Pissarro, created in 1901, is a significant example of the artist’s late-career engagement with graphic media. Classified as a color lithograph, this print demonstrates Pissarro’s continued interest in transferring painterly concerns—such as atmospheric light and nuanced color—to the reproducible format of printmaking. This period marks a pivotal moment for the French artist, who, while deeply associated with Impressionism, actively explored variations in technique and subject matter well into the early 20th century.

Consistent with many of his works created outside of Paris, Pissarro focuses on scenes of essential agrarian labor and the dignity of rural life in France. The composition likely depicts figures guiding a plow through a field, emphasizing the deep connection between the laborers and the land they cultivate. Unlike etching or engraving, the lithographic process allowed Pissarro to achieve soft textures and subtle color gradations, resulting in a quality that echoes the broken brushwork found in his oil compositions. By producing the work as a color lithograph, Pissarro was able to experiment with graphic reproduction techniques, making the subject accessible to a wider audience than a unique painting would allow.

Pissarro’s sustained commitment to depicting the working class distinguishes him among his peers. As one of the most important figures in the history of modern art, the inclusion of works like The Plow in institutional collections is essential for scholarly study. This particular example of the color lithograph is held in the comprehensive collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its age and institutional holding, high-resolution reproductions of this print are often available, sometimes entering the public domain for broader educational access.