115
Camille Pissarro
(Danish/French, 1830-1903)
Cocotier (Saint Thomas)
Estimate: $3,000-$5,000
Sold
$2,750
Live Auction
What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part III
Location
Philadelphia
Size
sheet size: 18 1/16 x 11 7/8 in. (46 x 30.2cm)
Description
Camille Pissarro
(Danish/French, 1830-1903)
Cocotier (Saint Thomas)
black chalk and pencil on light blue paper
stamped with initials C.P (Lugt 613, lower left); also located and titled (lower right)
sheet size: 18 1/16 x 11 7/8 in. (46 x 30.2cm)
The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This lot is located in Philadelphia.
Condition
Framed: 29 x 22 x 2 in.The drawing is in overall fair condition. The paper is hinged to the mat at the top two corners verso, and there is evidence of previous adhesive along the top edge. There is staining to the paper, particularly along the left edge running the length of the paper vertically, as well as a horizontal stain at the top, approx. 5 in. in length. The paper shows some discoloration as well, for instance in areas at the bottom center and bottom right. In our opinion, this could be the sign of a previous water damage. The paper is toned and has some pinpoint spots of foxing, for example to the left of the figure at bottom left and scattered in the sky. There is an approx. 2 in. long tear vertically from the top edge at center, as well as some soft handling creases. Additional images are available upon request.
Signature
stamped with initials C.P (Lugt 613, lower left); also located and titled (lower right)
Provenance
Provenance:The Artist.The Estate of the Artist.Manna Pissarro.O'Hana Gallery, London, United Kingdom. Schneider Gallery, New York, New York.Christie's, New York, sale of May 17, 1984, lot 101.Exhibition:"Summer Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries," O'Hana Gallery, London, May-September, 1969, no. 57.Lot Essay:Camille Pissarro’s early years in St. Thomas (then part of the Danish West Indies) were instrumental in shaping his artistic vision. Born on the island in 1830, he spent his youth surrounded by the vivid tropical environment, an experience that left an enduring impact before he later pursued his education in France. This delicate graphite drawing of St. Thomas offers a rare, personal glimpse into the artist’s formative Caribbean years. The composition quietly evokes the rhythm of island life: a lone figure balances a basket along the roadside, framed by the graceful arc of a palm tree and bathed in the warmth of the island’s sunlit architecture.