Camille Pissarro: Le Boulevard Montmartre, Temps de Pluie, Apres-Midi

Camille Pissarro has been described as the father of Impressionism.  His artwork depicted rural and urban lifestyles seen in France during the time.  His oil painting Le Boulevard Montmartre, Temps de Pluie, Apres-Midi exemplifies Pissarro’s skill and ability.  This depiction of a rain-soaked street conjoins his avant-garde techniques with the traditional and structured landscape subject.  Painted in 1897, this piece displays atmospheric perspective, implied texture, actual texture, pattern, emphasis, balance, and visual interest.

            The atmospheric perspective in this piece is very straightforward.  It is apparent at first glance that the buildings, trees, and people all become less distinct as they recede backwards into space.  This lack of definition through the use of perspective creates a realistic sense of depth within the painting.  Along with perspective, texture is also very obviously at work in this Le Boulevard Montmartre, Temps de Pluie, Apres-Midi.  Both implied and actual textures are on display.  The implied texture is found in the way in which Pissarro depicts his subject.  For example, the way in which he paints the trees describes their natural texture that we, as human beings, know them to have.  The actual, tactile texture exists on the surface of the piece.  It is the artist’s brushstrokes that fashion this real texture for the viewer. 

            Pattern can also be seen in this work of art.  Pissarro demonstrates the element of pattern in the way that he paints the buildings.  Each building’s windows create a recognizable arrangement and aid in the unification of the overall painting.  Finally, emphasis, balance, and visual interest are formed through his use of value within the painting.  This is successfully accomplished because of the way in which Pissarro evenly distributes his dark and light values.  Overall, Le Boulevard Montmartre, Temps de Pluie, Apres-Midi is a brilliant artwork that displays multiple elements and principles of art working together harmoniously.

Camille Pissarro.Le Boulevard Montmartre, Temps de Pluie, Apres-Midi, 1897. Oil on canvas.52.5 x 66 cm.Private Collection.