Street of the Hermitage, in Pontoise
- Original dimensions
- 69.2 x 58.4 cm
- Museum
- National Gallery of Canada
- Year
- 1875
Scene depicted
This painting immerses us in the tranquil life of a corner of Pontoise, where the houses peacefully follow one another under delicate touches of light. Pissarro succeeds in capturing not only the places but also the sweet atmosphere of an ordinary day, filled with the distant sounds of daily life, the laughter of children playing in the street, and the song of birds piercing the silence.
Historical context
Created in 1875, this iconic painting takes shape in the charming town of Pontoise, located in the Île-de-France region, at a time when the Impressionist movement begins to assert itself in the artistic landscape. The painting, now housed at the National Gallery of Canada , measures 69.2 by 58.4 centimeters and stands out for its ability to capture the vibrant essence of everyday scenes.
Place in the artist's career
Rue de l'Hermitage, à Pontoise is a significant milestone in Pissarro's artistic journey, serving as a testament to his maturity as an Impressionist artist. Compared to his previous work, Jardin de l’Horloge , and his later painting Place du Havre , this painting illustrates an evolution towards greater freedom of expression and a deeper exploration of the effects of light and shadows.
Anecdote
Camille Pissarro , young and passionate at the time of creation, said: “Life is a canvas that we paint as we walk it.” It was at the turn of a peaceful alley, one spring morning, that the idea of Rue de l'Hermitage, à Pontoise took root in his mind, united in the quivering of light and the whisper of the wind among the branches.