Maverick Mist

The Garden of Les Mathurins at Pontoise, 1876
Camille Pissarro

The woman in the painting is believed to be Maria Deraismes a prominent author and political figure in 1860s France who fought for women’s rights and who was a friend of Pissarro.

"This painting is an unusual subject for Pissarro, who typically preferred more rustic scenes. Here we see a comfortable, middle-class environment, whose peace and prosperity are enjoyed by the well-dressed woman in white. To her right is a glass reflecting ball, and the arrangement of the garden demonstrates the 19th-century fashion for flowers with bright, strong colors. At the time this picture was painted, Pissarro was attempting to give more structure to his loose, Impressionist style. He does so through the solid contrasts of complementary colors-red and green, blue and orange-and dense brushwork applied with small strokes."  -- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

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