Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) was a Danish-French Impressionist. As a member of that movement, he seldom painted at night. He painted more often during the day, watching the progression of light and weather and how each changed each view. He painted en plein air, quickly chasing images across changing light and conditions.

 

In Boulevard Montmartre Night Effect Pissarro paints a busy street in one point perspective with shades and tints of complimentary colors. It is a “squinted” view, original and nearly unfamiliar even to Parisians. This magnificent piece calls us to change the very structure of our seeing. Even after reading the title, wonders and discoveries abound. Does a street ever look this much like a river? Have I noticed or am I blinded to the present by my expectations built in the past? 

 

Pissarro seems to have painted a reminder of our human capacity for fresh views, original questions, and creative answers. With a street painted like a river, with people as smudges and light of lamp and reflection joined, this master may be lifting our eyes to both steadfast faith and refreshed discovery. Could this work be just what we need in these times?

 

This unique street painting might help open more than our eyes to our lives as God’s children. It might help us leave worldly past settled matters behind as we courageously face disorienting and troubling change. It might help us turn in faith again and again to the one true source of truth and light. May God take our hands. Amen.

 

In gratitude, faith and hope,