“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” ~Camille Pissarro

Camille Pissarro (pronunciation) was born on July 10, 1830, on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies. His father was a French planter and his mother was of African and Creole descent. As a child, Pissarro attended both French and Danish schools. At the age of 12, his father sent him to boarding school in France. 

Jalais Hill, Pontoise

Early Life of Camille Pissarro

As a young student, he developed an appreciation of the French art masters. So his teacher provided him with a strong foundation in drawing and painting and suggested he draw from nature when he returned to St. Thomas.

The Boulevard Montmartre at Night

After his schooling, Pissarro returned to St. Thomas at the age of sixteen and worked in his father’s business as a port clerk. Even so, Camille took every opportunity he could to practice drawing during breaks and after work.

The Crystal Palace

In 1855, he moved to Paris, where he met and was influenced by such artists as Gustave Courbet and Eugène Delacroix. He enrolled in an art academy, but was soon disillusioned by the school’s traditional teaching methods. 

The Harvest of Hay in Eragny

Impressionist Camille Pissarro

He returned to St. Thomas, but came back to Paris in 1859. This time, he joined a group of young artists who were working outside of the academic system. These artists, who became known as the Impressionists, were dedicated to painting landscapes and cityscapes from real life, rather than from idealized images.

The Hermitage at Pontoise

Pissarro quickly became an important member of the Impressionist group. He participated in all eight of their group exhibitions, held between 1874 and 1886. His work was often inspired by the landscapes of France, particularly those around his home in the village of Eragny-sur-Epte (pronunciation).

The Road to Versailles at Louveciennes

In 1884, Pissarro married Julie Vellay, with whom he had eight children. The artist continued to work until his death on November 13, 1903. He is considered to be one of the most important and influential artists of the Impressionist movement. Camille Pissarro rejected the label, preferring to be called a “pioneer” of the movement.

Two Women Chatting by the Sea, St. Thomas


Camille PissarroCamille PissarroCamille PissarroCamille Pissarro: Drawings & Paintings (Annotated)Camille Pissarro: Drawings & Paintings (Annotated)Camille Pissarro: Drawings & Paintings (Annotated)Camille Pissarro: Impressions of City and CountryCamille Pissarro: Impressions of City and CountryCamille Pissarro: Impressions of City and CountryCamille Pissarro (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)Camille Pissarro (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists)Camille Pissarro (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)Camille Pissarro: A biographyCamille Pissarro: A biographyCamille Pissarro: A biography