Farmyard 1863

Camille Pissarro painted this ‘Farmyard’ with oil on canvas. Though undated, its style speaks to the artist’s early period. It is one of many rural scenes painted in France at the time. We see the rise of landscape painting connected to broader social and cultural shifts. The rise of landscape painting allowed artists to explore new perspectives on the relationship between humanity and nature. ‘Farmyard’ represents a move away from grand historical or mythological subjects, reflecting a growing interest in everyday life, particularly that of the peasantry. The painting invites questions about the conditions of rural life in 19th-century France. Was it an attempt to romanticize country life? Was it a commentary on the economic realities faced by farmers and agricultural workers? To truly understand this work, we need to look into the social history of rural France, and the institutional forces that shaped the art market.