The artwork entitled “Peasant Trimming the Lawn” was created by the artist Camille Pissarro in the year 1882. This oil on canvas painting falls within the genre of genre painting, a style that depicts scenes of everyday life. Reflecting the aesthetic of Impressionism, a movement known for its loose brushwork and representation of light and color, this piece measures 57.2 x 45.1 cm. Currently, it resides within a private collection.
The artwork showcases a pastoral scene featuring a peasant engaged in the modest, everyday task of tending to a lawn with hand tools. The figure is crouched over the green grass, dressed in period attire that suggests modest means and a working-class status. The subject’s gesture and focused gaze imply diligent labor and connection with the land. In the background, softly blurred impressions of a dirt path, lush vegetation, and possibly another figure contribute to a bucolic landscape ambiance, typical for works of this era and genre. Pissarro’s dabbing brushstrokes and vibrant, natural palette capture the fleeting quality of light and shadow, hallmarks of the Impressionist movement’s style. The composition is balanced, offering both a sense of the subject’s immediate environment and the broader surroundings, hinting at a story within the peasant’s daily life. The artwork conveys a serene appreciation of rural labor and the simple beauty found therein.
