Book Description
Pissarro's weekly letters to his son Lucien, covering the dramatic period of Impressionism from 1883 to the painter's death in 1905, form what might be called a diary of the Impressionist school. In these wise, reflective, warmhearted missives, Pissarro, called the father of Impressionism, presents the growth and development of Impressionism and the struggles of its practitioners, as well as pungent and evocative observations on the politics, literature, and daily life of France in the late 19th century. But more than anything, these letters reveal an artist elucidating the inner resources of his craft: Lucien Pissarro, a contemporary of van Gogh, Seurat, and Toulouse-Lautrec, was himself a student of painting, and it was to the young artist above all that his father communicated the unique and illuminating perspectives on art contained in these documents. Brilliantly annotated and introduced by the renowned art historian John Rewald, and featuring a new preface by Barbara Stern Shapiro, Curator for Special Projects at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this edition of the Letters restores to print one of the most intimate and enjoyable views ever offered of the Impressionist period. Edited by John Rewald.Afterword by Barbara Stern Shapiro.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Pissarro's weekly letters to his son Lucien, covering the dramatic years of Impressionism from 1883 to the painter's death in 1903, form a virtual diary of the school. In these reflective, warm hearted missives, the "Father of Impressionism" presents the growth and development of the movement and the struggles of those who comprised it, as well as pungent observations on the politics, literature, and French daily life in the late 19th century. Above all, these letters reveal an artist elucidating his craft: Lucien Pissarro was himself a student of painting, and it was to the young artist above all that his father communicated the unique and illuminating perspectives contained in these documents. Brilliantly annotated and introduced by the renowned art historian John Rewald, and featuring a new foreword by Barbara Stern Shapiro, this edition restores to print one of the most intimate and enjoyable views ever offered of the Impressionist period.

SYNOPSIS

With the addition of a foreword by Barbara Stern Shapiro (curator for special projects, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), this is an unabridged republication of the edition originally published in 1943 by Pantheon. Editor Rewald was assisted by Lucien himself. Here are presented the painter's intimate, thoughtful messages to his eldest son who, upon moving to England, received almost daily letters from his father from 1883 until Camille's death 20 years later. Some b&w illustrations support the text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

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