Setting Sun and Fog, Eragny 1891

Setting Sun and Fog, Eragny was painted in 1891 by Camille Pissarro with oil on canvas. The painting utilizes a pointillist technique, where small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. This method, demanding and time-intensive, was embraced by Pissarro as a means of capturing the subtleties of light and atmosphere. Think of it as a kind of labor, a careful choreography of the hand, which accumulates to create a shimmering effect. The materiality of the paint itself becomes crucial; its viscosity and reflective properties are harnessed to evoke the misty atmosphere of Eragny. Pissarro's choice of subject, the rural landscape, suggests a connection to the land and the rhythms of agricultural life, a theme deeply embedded in his artistic practice. The very act of applying these tiny dots speaks to a dedication to craft, an attentiveness to the physical process of painting that transcends mere representation. Ultimately, this work invites us to consider the profound relationship between artistic labor, material expression, and the social context in which art is made.