Cambridge University Press The Letters of Lucien to Camille Pissarro, 1883–1903 (Cambridge Studies in the History of Art)

The Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro's eldest son, Lucien, lived in England in 1883, then in Paris until 1890 when he finally settled in England. These travels gave rise to a substantial exchange of letters, most of which have survived. This substantial 1993 collection of the letters of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, published in the original French with extensive notes and illustrations, offers a unique source for anyone interested in English 'aesthetic' life towards the end of the nineteenth century. The technical discussion of the translation of drawings to woodblocks engraved by Lucien gives a unique insight into the methods employed, while intimate views on the work of their now famous friends, mainly painters, writers of anarchist theoreticians in Paris, or contemporary painters reacting to the Pre-Raphaelites in London and the Private Press movement inspired by William Morris, mingle advice on painting methods with views on current art trends, family matters, and their struggles for recognition and enough money to even post their letters. Book Description An edition of the letters of Camille Pissarro to his son, first published in 1993. From the Back Cover Lucien Pissarro, the eldest son of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, lived in England in 1883, then in Paris until 1890 when he finally settled in England. These travels gave rise to a substantial exchange of letters, most of which have survived. Camille Pissarro's letters are well known, but Lucien's replies, which describe the world of post-William Morris London, have hitherto lacked a full edition. Lucien, also a painter, exhibited only in the last of the Impressionist exhibitions in Paris; both he and his father were by then members of the neo-Impressionist group. To earn a living, Lucien turned to wood engraving, which led to his printing of rare books, illustrated and printed by him on his Eragny Press in London. He even ceased to paint for a period. The technical discussion of the translation of drawings to woodblocks engraved by Lucien gives a unique insight into the methods employed, while intimate views are expressed on the work of the Pissarros' now famous friends - mainly painters, writers or anarchist theoreticians in Paris, or contemporary painters reacting to the Pre-Raphaelites and the Private Press movement inspired by William Morris in England. Advice on painting methods mingle with views on current art trends, family matters, and the Pissarros' struggles for recognition and enough money even to post their letters.