Pissarro, Camille Jacob (1830-1903), French impressionist painter. As the son of well-to-do parents Pissarro was sent to a school in Passy near Paris from 1842 to 1847. Despite his early promising talent he worked first in his father's business on the island of St. Thomas from 1847 to 1852. Finding little fulfillment in the life of a merchant, he left St. Thomas in 1852 and travelled via Caracas to settle in Paris in 1855. At first associated with the Barbizon School, Pissarro subsequently joined the group of painters who developed impressionism.

There he discovered his great admiration for Corot at the World Exhibition held at that time. From 1859 to 1861 he studied at the Académie Suisse, where he encountered Monet, Guillaume and Paul Cézanne. This led to a fruitful and life-long friendship with Monet. Like Monet, he escaped the war in France by going to London in 1870/71. There he married Julie. He was particularly impressed with Turner's work. Pissarro was one of the most active members of the Impressionist group, giving his support freely and working together with his friends.

Between 1872 and 1878 he worked at Pontoise, often together with Cézanne, and from 1879 also with Paul Gauguin. He was the only painter who participated in all eight Impressionist Exhibitions between 1874 and 1886. He received some financial support from Murer, a café proprietor, during the years 1876-1879. From 1882 to 1884 he lived at Osny, and around this time produced a series of pictures of peasant life and began to become interested in Socialism. In 1883 he had his first one-man-exhibition at Durand-Ruel. His son Lucien, a graphic artist and painter, moved to London. In 1884 he settled permanently in Eragny on the river Epte, his political views shifting towards anarchism. In 1886 he exhibited at Durand-Ruel in New York. His sight began to fail in 1888. In 1889 he was represented at the Paris World Exhibition and Les XX in Brussels.

In 1890 he visited London, later returning several times. In 1894 he was in danger of being arrested as an anarchist and had to flee to Belgium. In 1896 and 1898 he was in Rouen, painting views of the town and harbour and always remaining loyal to the Impressionist school. Between 1897 and 1903 he produced many impressions of Paris boulevards, and also painted in Dieppe and Le Havre. In 1900 he again showed his work at the Paris World Exhibition, finally gaining universal recognition.