Pere Melon Sawing Wood, Pontoise 1879

Camille Pissarro made this painting, Pere Melon Sawing Wood, in Pontoise using oil on canvas. In it, we see a man engaged in the labor of sawing wood, a scene of everyday life elevated to art through Pissarro's technique. The rough texture of the paint mirrors the rough work being done, emphasizing the physical effort involved. Notice how Pissarro captures the weight and density of the wood, the saw, and the body of the worker. The painting reminds us that even seemingly simple tasks require skill, and also raises questions about class and labor. Pissarro's choice to depict this scene reflects an interest in the lives of working people, often overlooked in traditional art. It invites us to consider the value of manual labor, and the relationship between humans and the materials they work with. By focusing on the act of making, Pissarro blurs the lines between fine art and craft, elevating the everyday to the realm of artistic expression.