Anka Muhlstein's Camille Pissarro: The Audacity of Impressionism, translated from the French by Adriana Hunter, provides an in-depth and insightful exploration of the life and artistry of Pissarro, a seminal figure of impressionist painting.
The book delves into Pissarro's formative years in the Danish West Indies; his journey to the bustling streets of Paris; his evolving style, influences, and artistic philosophy; and the pivotal role he played in the development of impressionism. Readers learn intimate details of Pissarro's family life, ongoing economic challenges, and the role that Judaism played in his career.
Muhlstein (Balzac's Omelette; Monsieur Proust's Library) explores Pissarro's many friendships with some of the most significant artists of the time (Renoir, Cézanne, Monet, Berthe Morisot, etc.), the social and political upheaval of the 19th century, and how these factors influenced Pissarro's work.
The author demonstrates why Pissarro's views "can't be mistaken for those of his fellow artists. The subject of the painting--the aspect that jumps out at any observer--is not what mattered most to Pissarro. The key for him, and herein lay the difficulty, was to establish the connection between the different elements: sky, terrain, water, walls, and human figures."
Muhlstein offers a comprehensive look at the life and art of a true pioneer in the world of impressionism--and a portrait of a complex and kind human being. Lovers of art history or well-told biographies will savor this book, which provides a deeper understanding of Pissarro's substantial legacy. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.