Portrait of Jeanne 1896

Camille Pissarro painted this portrait of Jeanne in France, using oil on canvas. Pissarro was a key figure in the Impressionist movement, which sought to represent the fleeting, sensory experience of modern life. The portrait is a fascinating example of the way that the Impressionists challenged the traditions of academic art. Rather than idealizing his sitter, Pissarro captured her likeness with a remarkable degree of naturalism. Consider the muted palette, the loose brushwork, and the emphasis on capturing the effects of light and shadow. These techniques were all part of the Impressionist project of creating an art that was rooted in the present moment, and that reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of France in the late 19th century. Pissarro was known for his radical political views and his commitment to depicting the lives of ordinary people. Art historians draw on a range of sources, including letters, diaries, and contemporary reviews, to understand the social and institutional context in which a work of art was produced.