In the Woods at the Hermitage at Pontoise 1879

Editor: This is Camille Pissarro’s "In the Woods at the Hermitage at Pontoise." It’s a rather evocative image, quite monochromatic, and has a unique depth created with line work. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The formal elements here articulate a complex spatial dynamic. Note how Pissarro manipulates tonal variations to create depth. The etched lines both define forms and suggest texture. What is your interpretation of this technique? Editor: It's like he’s creating a screen or a veil, layering the image for the viewer. Curator: Precisely, the overall composition invites us to consider the structural relationship between the foreground, the middle ground, and the distant buildings. It's all quite deliberate. I’ve learned a lot looking at all the lines of detail. Editor: Me too, thinking about Pissarro's decisions regarding depth.