Dieppe: Duquesne Basin at Low Tide, Afternoon

Born in the West Indies, Camille Pissarro settled in Paris in 1855, where he met Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and became fascinated by painting. He exhibited with Edouard Manet, among others, at the Salon des Refusés in 1863, and became acquainted with Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne, with whom he would develop a lasting friendship. In 1902, on the eve of his departure for Normandy, Pissarro, the Impressionist master, wrote: “Dieppe is an admirable place for a painter who likes life, movement and colour. I have friends there, and I know what subjects I would like to paint.” His hotel room had a view of the harbour and fish market. From his window, he painted six versions of the Duquesne Basin, focusing on the various activities that went on there and the variety of atmospheric effects. Those paintings made up one of his last major series on a single subject. This work shows the technical virtuosity resulting from fifty years of experience, an expertise stamping this work with a sureness of touch and freedom of handling then more assured than ever.