The artwork titled “Landscape with House in the Woods in Saint Thomas, Antilles,” created by the artist Camille Pissarro, dates from approximately 1854 to 1855. This oil on canvas painting belongs to the Realism movement and measures 23.9 by 30.5 cm. Depicting a landscape genre, the painting currently resides within a private collection.
This particular artwork features a bucolic scene imbued with tranquility. In the composition’s foreground, lush greenery and flora are depicted in various shades of green, punctuated with spots of color representing flowers or sunlit leaves. The center of the artwork showcases a modest wooden house nestled comfortably among the trees, its rustic appearance in harmony with the natural surroundings.
Behind the dwelling, the dense foliage of trees rises up, suggesting a shield of privacy and seclusion. The trees have been rendered in a manner that captures the play of light and shadow, lending depth and realism to the scene. A figure can be seen near the house, under an umbrella, hinting at a narrative or daily life in this serene setting.
The use of light and shadow, along with the thoughtful composition and the realistic portrayal of the house and foliage, all align with the Realism movement’s objective to depict subjects truthfully, without idealization, and focusing on ordinary scenarios. Through this piece, Pissarro delivers a snapshot of a moment in time from the Antilles, giving the viewer a glimpse into the landscape and lifestyle of that era and region.
