The artwork “Dulwich College, London” by Camille Pissarro was created in 1871. This oil on canvas painting is of a cityscape genre and exemplifies the Impressionist art movement, characterized by its depiction of light and movement as they pertain to the perception of the moment. The dimensions of this work are 61 x 50 cm, and as of the last records, it resides within a private collection.
In the artwork, the scene is of Dulwich College as it might have been on a day in the late 19th century. The college buildings are rendered in warm hues, standing out against a soft, pale sky. Pissarro showcases his mastery of light and shadow through the reflection on the water, offering glimpses of blue skies and autumnal trees on the surface. The foreground features a figure dressed in black, strolling along the edge of the water, which animates the cityscape with a human presence. The trees, captured with quick, loose brushwork typical of Impressionism, are adorned with vibrant yellow leaves, suggesting the season might be autumn. A stark, leafless tree creates a vertical element that contrasts with the horizontal expanse of the college building and water. The overall effect is one of transitory beauty, as the play of natural light transforms the architecture and surroundings into a harmonious blend of color and form.
