Place Saint Lazare 1893

Camille Pissarro painted this oil on canvas of the Place Saint-Lazare during a time of rapid urban transformation in Paris. Born on the island of St. Thomas, Pissarro’s identity as an outsider perhaps attuned him to the changing social dynamics of the French capital. Here, Pissarro captures the energy of modern life, with its bustling streets and diverse populace. This work invites us to consider who had access to the modern city, and who was left behind? The broad boulevards, like the one depicted, were designed to prevent barricades, tools of the working class. Note how the figures are rendered: some are clearly defined while others are mere suggestions of human form. How might this relate to the varied social classes navigating this space? Pissarro once said, "Everything is beautiful; all that matters is to know how to interpret." This painting is not just a snapshot of a place, but an interpretation of a society in flux. It encourages us to reflect on the ever-changing relationship between urban spaces and the people who inhabit them.