Do you know Gustave Caillebotte?

Gilles Farina
Publié le 25 March 2023
Do you know Gustave Caillebotte?

Impressionism revolutionised the history of art. The techniques and subjects differed from academic art and the codes in force in the 19th century. When we think of the Impressionists, the names of Degas, Manet, Renoir or Pissarro naturally come to mind. However, one great artist is never mentioned: Gustave Caillebotte. Today, Museum TV looks back at the work and life of this great painter.

The life of Gustave Caillebotte

Born in 1948 in Paris, Gustave Caillebotte was not destined for painting! Indeed, growing up in a bourgeois family, Caillebotte initially headed for a legal career. Far from any brush...

However, an encounter was to change everything. Indeed, Gustave Caillebotte met the works of Giuseppe De Nittis in Naples. The decision was made for Caillebotte, he decided to devote himself fully to Fine Arts.

Villas in Trouville (1884)

Thus, the artist frequented the Parisian painting clubs, which allowed him to meet many other impressionists such as Degas and De Nittis. However, his talents are overshadowed for a tragic reason... Indeed, Caillebotte is very rich! His family fortune is known to the other impressionists. Despite his undeniable talent, he was not taken seriously by his contemporaries who saw him simply as a bourgeois who did not enjoy painting.

Despite this injustice, the Impressionists owe a great deal to Caillebotte who financed several projects. However, the injustice continued for a long time... When Caillebotte died at the age of 45, he had bequeathed his entire collection of paintings to the state, so that they would not rot in an attic.

In 1951, the art critic Marie Berhaut rediscovered his work and Gustave Caillebotte finally received the recognition he had been waiting for.

A modern look

Paris Street, Rainy Day - 1877
Gustave Caillebotte
Paris Street, Rainy Day - 1877

In Impressionism, Caillebote can be widely regarded as a precursor. Indeed, the artist was one of the first to use photography as an aid in the creation of his works. And this technique is very innovative, as Gustave Caillebotte was one of the first to paint everyday life.

An artist we haven't forgotten at Museum TV! Go to our streaming platform to find all his work.