The Street of the Grand Clock, Rouen

The Street of the Grand Clock, Rouen is a significant print created by Camille Pissarro in 1885. This impression, the third state of the work, was executed using etching and aquatint on fine beige laid paper, identified as Van Gelder paper. Pissarro, a foundational figure in Impressionism, focused extensively on urban scenes during the mid-1880s, utilizing printmaking as a primary medium for technical experimentation. By skillfully combining the precise linearity of etching with the tonal atmosphere provided by aquatint, Pissarro achieved a complex visual texture, capturing the unique light and movement of the historic French city.

The subject matter focuses on a densely packed streetscape in Rouen, leading the eye toward the historic gateway structure known for the elaborate Gros Horloge (Grand Clock). Pissarro uses the deep perspective of the street and the imposing architecture of the buildings to anchor the composition. Scattered throughout the foreground and mid-ground are small, dynamic human figures, which provide a sense of scale and illustrate the daily hustle of the thoroughfare. This concentration on quotidian public life reflects the Impressionist commitment to depicting modern, contemporary existence. Pissarro’s graphic output from this period is particularly valued for its innovative use of multiple printmaking processes. This important work resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and as with many historical prints, high-quality images may often be accessed through public domain initiatives.