As St. Thomas is one of the top shopping and culture destinations in the Caribbean, few travelers are surprised to find that the island is home to a vibrant art gallery scene devoted to the work of both local and international artists. However, few travelers are aware that one of the most influential painters of the last two centuries worked extensively in St. Thomas. Camille Pissarro, one of the driving forces of the Impressionism, was born in St. Thomas and spent much of his youth documenting the island s colonial life and tropical scenery. Today, in addition to the famous views and colonial charm of Charlotte Amalie, travelers can experience Pissarro s groundbreaking work at one of St. Thomas top galleries – Gallery Camille Pissarro.
During the mid 19th century, St. Thomas was the most vibrant island in the Danish West Indies. As a result, daily life on the island – like many others in the region – was subject to a wide variety of influences, from European architecture and commercial efforts to native Caribbean traditions and African customs. Born in 1830 to a father of Sephardic Jewish descent and a Dominican mother, Camille Pissarro exemplified the Caribbean s unique melting pot culture during the colonial period. The Pissarro family operated a dry goods store in the heart of Charlotte Amalie and lived above the business in a traditional European style apartment that was modified with large windows and high ceilings to fit the Caribbean climate. The Pissarro s dry goods store and residence, located at 14 Main Street in Charlotte Amalie, is now the home of Gallery Camille Pissarro.
Camille Pissarro showed an interest in art from a young age, but the culture of St. Thomas did not fully influence his work until a visit to a Parisian boarding school. From the ages of 12 to 17, Pissarro cultivated his talents in France and, upon his pending return to the Caribbean, was advised by his mentors to draw what he observed on the island. In 1847, Pissarro returned to St. Thomas and began feverishly documenting the unique culture around him. The young artist created numerous paintings and drawings that showed everything from St. Thomas tropical wildlife and scenic shorelines to the bustling colonial ports and daily chores of the island s Caribbean natives. The austere, but vibrantly gestural style developed by Pissarro while in St. Thomas would go on to guide not only the artist s famous later work, but also the style adopted by Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne. Today, many of these remarkable early works are on display at Gallery Camille Pissarro.
Gallery Camille Pissarro, conveniently located in central Charlotte Amalie, is one of St. Thomas premier galleries and a great place to shop for locally produced items. In addition to examples of Pissarro s early paintings and drawings, the gallery also features works by a number of contemporary local artists, many inspired by both Pissarro s vision and the vibrant culture of St. Thomas. Amongst the artists represented by Gallery Camille Pissarro are several painters and sculptors that have earned strong reputations, both in the artistic circles of St. Thomas and galleries throughout the world. These artists include contemporary Impressionist painter, Janine Wesselmann; local gouache painter, Sylvia Kahn; and renowned St. Thomas oil painter, Jan Dunn. The gallery also sells a wide variety of prints – including the work of Pissarro and local artists – small sculptures and Caribbean influenced batik work.
Gallery Camille Pissarro is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Though the Caribbean boasts a rich artistic history and contemporary visual culture, few artists of Pissarro s stature have worked in the region. As a result, Gallery Camille Pissarro stands as not only one of the best places to enjoy art in St. Thomas, but also one of the premier gallery destinations in the Caribbean. Visitors will be able to see the space where the Pissarro family lived and worked, the early works of a master who found inspiration in St. Thomas, and the creations of a new generation of artists. Upon seeing the works of Pissarro and the contemporary artists he inspired, you and your family may also uncover a greater appreciation of everything that makes St. Thomas one of the Caribbean s top destinations.
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