Het oude Rouen 1896

Curator: Pissarro’s "Het oude Rouen," created in 1896, is a captivating cityscape executed as an etching. The print depicts an aged street in Rouen. I am immediately drawn to the almost oppressive density of the architecture. Editor: There's a palpable weight, isn’t there? I sense a social commentary lurking here, given Pissarro’s own radical politics. Curator: Undoubtedly. His commitment to representing the working class resonates even in this urban landscape. Editor: Indeed. One notices the layering of time through the textured surfaces, the evident erosion and weathering that speak to histories of labor embedded within these buildings. Curator: From a materials perspective, I’m interested in how the etching process allows him to render such delicate detail while retaining an almost gritty realism. The controlled use of acid to corrode the plate seems fitting for representing an urban environment marked by age. Editor: Absolutely. Consider, too, that Rouen had a significant textile industry, historically relying on exploited labor. The etching lines mirror the warp and weft of fabric, perhaps drawing a visual parallel between the city’s architecture and its industrial roots. Pissarro does this well; connecting structure and production to class struggle, giving visibility to labor practices. Curator: It’s fascinating how the narrow street itself becomes a conduit for reflecting broader socio-economic realities, which speaks to his innovative use of perspectival compression. Editor: The composition encourages one to reflect not only on material circumstances but also the potential claustrophobia of such dense, historic settings and their impact on daily life for different inhabitants. Pissarro emphasizes an urgency regarding class disparity in late nineteenth century France. Curator: Looking at the materials and production process illuminates how his approach blurs the lines between craft and high art. The deliberate choice to work in etching makes "Het oude Rouen" not merely a picture, but a product reflective of artistic labor itself. Editor: It highlights how the built environment intersects with both the dominant powers and the working populace who shaped it. And it pushes us to examine similar questions in our own time, making visible these ongoing historical currents of struggle. Curator: Pissarro has undeniably given us a nuanced view of late nineteenth century urban life through this print. Editor: Definitely. And with continued focus, "Het oude Rouen" helps me re-evaluate urban space through critical lenses.