Learn English and not forget to draw

Camille Pissarro expresses to his son Lucien the relief of the whole family after having received his telegram, his letter and then his postcard announcing his arrival. He encourages him to regularly give news and take advantage of his stay to learn English, promising to help him despite his own difficulties. The descriptions of Lucien's journey awaken Pissarro's memory of multicoloured houses and landscapes that he would have liked to paint. He imagines the dream of an artist who can continuously interrupt his journey to work in front of every beautiful motif. After giving news of the family and talking about his unfinished paintings, he ended with an essential advice addressed to his son: "Don't forget to draw. »

Sender

Camille Pissarro

Recipient

Lucien Pissarro

Place sent

Osny, near Pontoise

Original language

French

Transcription

Osny near Pontoise, [January 1883]

My dear Lucien,

We first received the telegram, the next day your letter, and the second time your postcard was lifted. Needless to tell you how impatient we were expecting a word from you, announcing your arrival. We are very happy to learn that everything went very well. I hope you continue to give us regular news. Try to get into the idea that this is a good opportunity to learn English; For my part I will do everything I can, despite the difficulties, to help accomplish this task.

The details you give me in your letter are very interesting, although I already knew this route for having done it in time. I remember perfectly these multicolored houses and the desire I had to interrupt my trip to do some curious studies. But if we had to stop at all the pretty towns, villages, all the beautiful patterns, the journey would be long; It's equal, it would be a dream for a painter to stop and go back and continue and stop forever.

We are all well, the children always the same, your very busy mother and I continuing my good man on my way, surrounded by my unfinished paintings, my sketches, seeking the rare bird with plumage shining with all the beautiful colors of the rainbow, with harmonious and pure singing; perfection, as Degas would say!! - Don't forget to draw.

Editorial note

This version is based on the edition of John Rewald, published with the assistance of Lucien Pissarro in 1950. This edition is an editorial selection: some formulas, phrases, parts of letters or whole letters have been deleted, and passages from different letters have sometimes been reconciled. The text submitted should therefore not be considered as a complete diplomatic transcription of the original manuscript.