Even though Claude Monet is oft-called the “Father of Impressionism,” Camille Pissarro was the oldest member. He painted this patch of farmland and put it in the first exhibition of the “Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, and Printmakers” in 1874. The French Salon was the most prestigious way to exhibit, but the artists were like, “Or nah,” about being accepted by the annual jury. So they made their own.
Louis Leroy describes the interaction between him, another critic Joseph Vincent, and this work:
“Those are cabbages,” I told him in a gently persuasive voice.
“Oh, the poor wretches, aren’t they caricatured! I swear not to eat any more as long as I live!”
“Yet it’s not their fault if the painter … ”
“Be quiet, or I’ll do something terrible.”
I used to feel that way about cabbages, Joe. I definitely do about the smell of ’em.
arthipstory 