Manzana-Pissarro – Spaniel

Georges Manzana-Pissarro, alias George Henri Pissarro
(1871 Louveciennes – 1961 Menton?)

SPANIEL (Le chien de chasse)

Pastel on paper, 44 x 55 cm
Signed lower left: Manzana-Pissarro

Georges Henri Pissarro, Camille Pissarro’s second son, took the pseudonym Manzana (Spanish for apple) in 1894, inspired by his grandmother’s name (Rachel Manzano-Pomié). From 1906 onwards, he signed his works Manzana-Pissarro. Durand-Ruel and Druet were his gallery owners until 1907, after which he switched to Ambroise Vollard.

Spaniel comes from the Old French word espaigneul, which means Spanish dog. This breed of dog is often seen in paintings by Velázquez. In the 19th century, various sub-breeds were bred in England for hunting. The dog in this painting is either an English Springer or an English Cocker Spaniel.