A replica of a future bronze statue honoring renowned impressionist painter Camille Pissarro was presented to the mayor of Pontoise, a town in Val-d'Oise, France, during the general assembly of the Hermitage Pissarro association on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The copy was presented in the presence of sculptor Yves Pires and will be preserved at the Carré Patrimoine cultural center.
The project to install a statue of Pissarro originated in August 2021 within the Hermitage Pissarro association, which wanted to honor the artist who was a pioneer of impressionism. Pissarro lived with his family for thirteen years in various neighborhoods of Pontoise, where he drew inspiration from the local landscape and community scenes for his paintings, which are now displayed in museums around the world.
"Certainly, a bust of Camille Pissarro signed by sculptor Paul Paulin is already present at the Pissarro Museum, but we think his presence should also be visible at the Hermitage," declared Marc Faregna, president of the Hermitage Pissarro association. The initiative began with exchanges between the association and successive directors of Pontoise's museums, which helped the organization connect with Pissarro's descendants.
The city of Pontoise has become a key partner in the project, alongside other supporters including Pissarro's descendants and financial contributors such as Crédit Agricole bank. "We are committed to supporting this initiative," assured Stéphanie Von Euw, the Republican mayor of Pontoise, during the association's general assembly. "The financing plan seemed ambitious to us, but your association found a solution," the mayor reassured attendees.
The bronze artwork and its pedestal are estimated to cost 22,600 euros (approximately $24,500), including 3,000 euros for the bronze casting. This represents a significant expense for the small neighborhood association, which has barely 8,000 euros in its treasury. A fundraising campaign has already collected 6,505 euros, including a 2,000-euro contribution from the city of Pontoise.
As a gesture of gratitude for the city's support, the association presented a copy of the bust to Mayor Von Euw, which will be displayed at the Carré Patrimoine. The project actually took shape within this cultural establishment, thanks to the efforts of two architecture and heritage coordinators, Anne-Françoise Callandreau and Pauline Prévot.
"We can't wait to see this bust on the banks of the Oise River," Mayor Von Euw expressed enthusiastically. The statue will be installed at Quai du Pothuis, directly across from Rue de l'Hermitage. Those wishing to contribute to the fundraising effort can send donations to the association's headquarters at 19, Sente des Toits Rouges, 95300 Pontoise, or contact marc.faregna@yahoo.fr for more information.
