All Saints Church, Upper Norwood seen from the north side of Beulah Hill c. 19th century

Camille Pissarro created this sketch of All Saints Church in Upper Norwood using graphite. The composition, with its stark contrast between the solidity of the church on the left and the receding road, pulls us into the scene. Pissarro’s use of line is economical yet descriptive. Notice how the bare trees are rendered with quick, scribbled marks, contrasting with the more defined structure of the church. The church acts as a visual anchor. Its spire, though lightly drawn, pierces the skyline, establishing a vertical counterpoint to the horizontal road. The subtle tonal gradations create depth, suggesting atmosphere, but without fully defining the space. Pissarro invites us to consider not only the visible scene but also the unseen. The sketch challenges the traditional notion of a finished artwork, prompting questions about perception and the essence of representation. The interplay between what is depicted and what is left unsaid becomes a central aspect of the work.