Lilla Cabot Perry: Camille Pissarro

"A Fairy Tale" by Lilla Cabot Perry

Lilla Cabot Perry and her husband were most anxious to meet Camille Pissarro, and when they managed to do just that, Thomas Perry gave an account to a friend:

'We left Paris at 9:15 this a.m. and went to Gisors. Thence we drove to Eragny and saw old Pissarro, who is a noble-looking fellow with a beak on him like an eagle and an eye like Sophocles . . . As Monet told me [he] was a most charming and simple soul, with enormous interest in his work. A fine old fellow. He is as simple as a child . . . We spent some time and saw much of his work and bought a mighty pretty watercolour, a real masterpiece."

Pissarro hastened to follow up their visit with a little note requesting another meeting at Lilla's convenience. Thus began a very warm friendship. Deeply affected by Pissarro's impoverished state, Lilla actively tried to stimulate a few sales for him, arranging for private teas in Paris with collector friends, like the Quincy Shaws, and alerting correspondents in America. 

The response was largely negative, as Pissarro sadly confirmed to his son in the spring of 1896. 'Mrs. Perry hasn't been able to place a single painting for me so far, really the Americans can't get used to my painting which is too sad for them. Monet alone is recognized in America.' The following spring Lilla finally managed to arrange for a small sale of six watercolors by Pissarro to her brother Arthur Cabot.

The Perrys returned to Boston in July 1897. Thomas Perry expressed his sadness, 'All is ending. We are dying to slow music. The day is over; twilight is beginning.' All, of course, was not ending, but they would never see one beloved friend again. Pissarro died in 1903, two years before the Perrys returned to France."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Lilla Cabot Perry: An American Impressionist" by Meredith Martindale.)