Rue Damiette, Rouen c. 1884

Camille Pissarro painted "Rue Damiette, Rouen" using watercolors and graphite, capturing a street in Rouen with figures walking along the sides. Pissarro, of Jewish-French heritage, often explored themes of identity and belonging in his work, reflecting his own experiences as an outsider. During a time of significant social change in France, Pissarro engaged with the rapid urbanization and its effect on everyday life, which comes through in this piece. The painting invites us to consider the lives of the figures depicted, who seem like ordinary working-class people going about their daily routines. Pissarro was quoted as saying: "It is not enough to see, you must feel." This emphasis on feeling is evident in the intimate and empathetic portrayal of the street. In capturing this street, Pissarro offers us a snapshot of a time and place, but it also encourages us to reflect on the social dynamics that shape our own experience. The painting reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for understanding and connecting with one another.