Gustave Caillebotte and The History of Impressionism

By: Tori B.

Story of Impressionism

• “Impressionism in only direct sensation. All great painters were less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct.” –Claude Monet

• In 1863 at the official salon, which was an important event of the art world, many artists were not allowed to be apart of it

• The Salon des Refuses was made to allow the works of artists that weren’t allowed in the official salon.

• Many works of art included clothed men and nude women at an afternoon picnic

• By the late 1860s few painters were discovering other painters through small exhibitions

• The first alternative exhibitions was in 1874 in the studios of photographer Felix Nadar

• It was until 1887, the third exhibition, that they called themselves impressionists

Impressionism Continued

• Mainly focused on realistic drawings such as scenery, bridges, reflections, and people

• Most people found there style of art unacceptable• They used smaller brushes, brighter colors, and even

watercolors

Gustave Caillebotte

• Born on Aug. 19 1848, passed away on Feb. 21 1894• Earned his law degree in 1868 and his license to practice it in 1870• He was drafted to fight in Franco-Prussion war• Began studying painting after the war • He set up his first studio in his parent’s house• Attended the first impressionist exhibition of 1874• Made his debut at second exhibition in 1876 with his earliest masterpiece

called The Floor Scraper, this painting was considered vulgar by many• He enjoyed painting more realistic then others in the group• He never stuck to one style of painting• Usually painted domestic and familial scenes, interior, and portraits while

using his own family members

Gustave Continued

• He could afford to paint without the pressure of selling his pieces because of his inheritance from his family

• He stopped showing art at age 34 and turned to gardening• He was never married but was known to have carried out an eleven year

relationship with one women• He ended up dying of pulmonary congestion

Women at a Dressing Table

The Floor Scrapers(referred to in earlier slide)

Paris Street-Rainy Weather

Yerres Dark Bay Horse In The Stable

Calf’s Head and Ox Tongue

Le Pont De L'Europe

Still Life With Crayfish

Fruit Displayed On A Stand

Young Man Playing The Piano

Self Portrait