April, Epping 1894

Lucien Pissarro made this painting, *April, Epping*, in 1894, using oil paint on canvas. Pissarro’s characteristically pointillist technique, involving the application of countless tiny dots of pure color, gives the entire composition a remarkable visual energy. Look closely at the landscape, and you’ll see how this method captures the freshness of the early spring, with its vibrant new growth. But let’s also consider the labor involved. Pointillism isn’t just a style; it is a commitment to a painstaking way of working. The artist was not only devoted to his craft, but also to his social ideals. Pissarro embraced the Arts and Crafts movement’s emphasis on hand production, which was promoted as an alternative to industrial modes of production. This painting, therefore, can be appreciated not just for its beauty, but also as an embodiment of values and beliefs. Its meaning is enhanced by understanding its making, and its place in history.