Camille Pissarro Quotes

Camille Pissarro (10 July 1830 – 13 November 1903) was a Danish-French Impressionist & Neo-Impressionist painter. Pissarro’s work has been described by art historian Diane Kelder as expressing “the same quiet dignity, sincerity, and durability that distinguished his person.”

Here is an insight into Pissarro’s mind with some of his famous quotes:

“I sometimes have a horrible fear of turning up a canvas of mine. I’m always afraid of finding a monster in place of the precious jewels I thought I had put there!”

“At fifty, that is in 1880, I formulated the idea of unity, without being able to render it. At sixty, I am beginning to see the possibility of rendering it.”

“Don’t be afraid in nature: one must be bold, at the risk of having been deceived and making mistakes.”

“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.”

“I remember that, although I was full of fervour, I didn’t have the slightest inkling, even at forty, of the deeper side to the movement we were pursuing by instinct. It was in the air!”

“I regard it as a waste of time to think only of selling: one forgets one’s art and exaggerates one’s value.”

“It is absurd to look for perfection.”

“I began to understand my sensations, to know what I wanted, at around the age of forty – but only vaguely.”

“Observe that it is a great error to believe that all mediums of art are not closely tied to their time.”

“Work at the same time on sky, water, branches, ground, keeping everything going on an equal basis… Don’t be afraid of putting on colour… Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.”

“Cover the canvas at the first go, then work at it until you see nothing more to add.”

“God takes care of imbeciles, little children and artists.”

“Paint the essential character of things.”

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”

“When you do a thing with your whole soul and everything that is noble within you, you always find your counterpart.”

“Everything is beautiful, all that matters is to be able to interpret.”

What is your favorite quote by Camille Pissarro? Feel free to share in the comment section below.

Here are some of Pissarro’s famous paintings:

Camille Pissarro, Winter Landscape in Loiveciennes, 1872
Camille Pissarro, Winter Landscape in Loiveciennes, 1872
 Camille Pissarro, The Chestnut Trees at Osny, 1873
Camille Pissarro, The Chestnut Trees at Osny, 1873
 Camille Pissarro, Entrée du village de Voisins, 1872
Camille Pissarro, Entrée du village de Voisins, 1872

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Happy painting!

Dan Scott

Draw Paint Academy

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Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the About page.

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