The Corner of the Route de Versailles and the Chemin de l'Aqueduct, Louveciennes

In this winter scene Pissarro depicts the street where he lived for a short time early in his artistic career. The neighborhood was a patchwork of châteaux, parkland, farms, and streets that were being developed as the railways facilitated the expansion of suburbs around Paris. There is nothing particularly notable about this view – it contains no landmarks – and the off-center receding perspective does not frame a monument or building. Instead, it is the momentary effect of sunlight falling across fresh snow that Pissarro captures. The Baltimore born, Paris based art dealer, George Lucas, purchased this work only weeks after Pissarro completed it, placing him among the first supporters of the artist and the movement that was later to become known as Impressionism. When Paris was under siege during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), the Prussians garrisoned their troops in Pissarro's house, destroying most of his early paintings. This painting, which due to its quick sale is one of few that survive, reflects Pissarro's affinities with Claude Monet, a frequent houseguest.

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Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Pierre-Firmin Martin, Paris [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; The George A. Lucas Collection, Baltimore, January 7, 1870, by purchase; Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, May 9, 1910, by bequest [Henry Walters as executor]; Walters Art Museum, June 1, 1944, by indefinite loan; Walters Art Museum, 1996, by purchase.