Pissarro the Middle Years

In 1871 Pissarro established himself in Pontoise where he remained for the next ten years.  During this time Pissarro became one of the most prominent artists and teachers of the Impressionist group.  After rejections by the state-run art show, the Salon, Pissarro and his friends determined to have an independent exhibition featuring their Impressionist works.  The first Impressionist exhibition was held in 1874 and Included Pissarro, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Morisot, and Sisley.   Pissarro was the only member to participate in all eight Impressionist exhibitions in Paris from 1874 to 1886.  Through the exhibitions Pissarro received much criticism of his work.  Pissarro primarily painted landscapes though he tended to add people, mainly peasants going about their business, which frequently became the focal point of the paintings. This approach and subject matter found little appreciation from the general public. 

One of the collectors that showed an appreciation for Pissarro’s work was a banker named Paul Gauguin, who acquired a collection of Impressionist work.  Gauguin later became a painter himself and turned to Pissarro for advice.