Woman at the Gate

Woman at the Gate is an exquisite print created by Camille Pissarro in 1889. This piece is a remarkable example of the artist's dedication to printmaking, specifically combining drypoint and etching techniques. Executed on blue laid paper, the subtle variation in the tone of the support adds a quiet, atmospheric depth to the scene. The designation as the ninth state of ten (of a total of ten states) emphasizes the meticulousness with which Pissarro approached his plates, often revising his compositions to achieve the desired atmospheric and textural effects.

The composition focuses intimately on a single Woman standing near a sturdy wooden gate, framed subtly by the surrounding trees. This subject reflects Pissarro’s late-career interest in capturing everyday, intimate scenes of rural life, moving toward more structured genre studies while retaining the Impressionist sensitivity to light and environment. The contrast between the dark, linear qualities of the drypoint and the lighter, expansive areas defined by the etching process enhances the solidity of the structure and the presence of the figure.

Although best known for his oil paintings, Pissarro maintained a serious and consistent engagement with graphic arts throughout his career, viewing the creation of fine prints as an essential and independent medium for exploring line and texture. During this period, Pissarro was heavily experimenting with these techniques, influenced both by the etchings of old masters and the contemporary revival of the graphic arts. The work is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes significantly to the institution's documentation of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist graphic endeavors.