The artwork “Peasant Woman and Child, Eragny” by Camille Pissarro, completed in 1893, is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the Impressionist movement. Measuring 65.1 x 53.9 cm, it is a portrait that is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork portrays a rural scene featuring a woman and a child. The woman, who appears to be engaged in a task that involves her hands, such as shelling peas or knitting, is seated with her head slightly bowed towards her work. She is clad in a long dress and wears a headscarf, with her posture and clothing evoking the essence of peasant life. Beside her, a child sits on the ground, seemingly absorbed in quiet contemplation or a modest task. The child’s gaze does not meet the viewer, adding a sense of introspection to the scene.
Rendered with Pissarro’s characteristic loose brushwork, the composition is rich in vibrant colors and captures the play of light and shadow, creating a lively and textured depiction of the surrounding foliage and grass. The impression of spontaneity and the focus on everyday life are hallmarks of the Impressionist movement, which sought to depict scenes with an immediacy and a new perception of light. Pissarro’s sensitive treatment of his subjects and his fascination with rural labor are evident in the artwork, making it a poignant representation of the working countryside during that era.
