The Crystal Palace 1871

Camille Pissarro made this oil painting of The Crystal Palace in 1871. Pissarro has used industrial materials such as paint and canvas to depict the Crystal Palace in London, a building also made of industrial materials such as iron and glass. The artist’s brushwork is loose and textured, capturing the atmosphere and light of the scene, but also drawing our attention to the flat surface of the canvas. The visible brushstrokes and muted color palette create a sense of movement and energy, reflecting the bustling activity of the street and the innovative spirit of the Crystal Palace itself, which was originally erected to house the Great Exhibition of 1851, an international display of manufactured products. The Crystal Palace was an extraordinary demonstration of what could be accomplished with industrial processes, showcasing the latest technologies and designs. Pissarro seems to be making a connection between the ethos of the building, and his own work. It serves as a kind of modern icon, a monument to the possibilities of its time.