Book Description

Caillebotte's vivid representations of Parisian life bridged the gap between Realism and Impressionism during the 1870s and early 1880s. His Paris Street: Rainy Day and Floorscrapers--each the subject of a fascinating, extensively illustrated analysis in this book--have become icons of the Impressionists' devotion to scenes of modern urban life.

Prepared by an international team of scholars to accompany the major 1994-95 retrospective organized by the Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Musée d'Orsay, Paris, and The Art Institute of Chicago, Gustave Caillebotte: Urban Impressionist reproduces 89 of his paintings and 28 of his drawings and studies, many of them from little-known private collections. Thoughtful essays examine both his work and his crucial role as an early patron and promoter of Impressionism. A chronology, list of exhibitions, and selected bibliography provide additional invaluable information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Deep understanding
Very exhaustive and subtle review of Caillebotte's art and personnality ... Read more

Book Description

A stunning study of the life and work of Gustave Caillebotte-until recently the "forgotten man" of Impressionism but now recognized as one of the most interesting and attractive artists in the group and as the painter of some of its most powerful and memorable images. The book includes beautiful color reproductions of all Caillebotte's most important works, his working drawings, and a selection of critical responses to his art when first shown. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gustave Caillebotte-By Kirk Varnedoe
My favorite artist - in a classy book. What a wonderful way to get to know a little bit more about him and enjoy his art! This book is worth the price and more!

A comprehensive, balanced view of Caillebotte's work.
Kirk Varnedoe gives us, in Gustave Caillebotte, not only a beautifully reproduced compendium of the artist's major works, but an unusually insightful commentary on his place in the Impressionist movement. Perhaps most importantly, he offers a vision of Caillebotte that allows us to see him as more than a "minor" impressionist, but as an original precursor of modernism who remained true to his own unique vision despite the influences of his better known contemporaries. The importance of late nineteenth century photography, and especially the new, shorter 28 mm. lenses of the period, on Caillebotte's treatment of perspective are analyzed in detail through careful consideration of the preliminary studies for "Rainy Afternoon in Paris" and "Pont de l'Europe". While the author is forthright in his views of the "unevenness" of Caillebotte's oeuvre, he makes a strong case for viewing what Varnedoe refers to as Caillebotte's "internal personal dynamic" as a driving force behind the artist's shifting styles and artistic innovations. The illustrations faithfully reproduce the palette and nuances of Caillebotte's work, still evolving at his untimely death at age 45. An important appendix catalogues the gift of Caillebotte's extraordinary personal collection of impressionist paintings to the French state. These works by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Pisarro and others are part of the core collection of the Musee d'Orsay, reminding us again of Caillebotte's role as not only a contributor to the impressionist movement, but as a supporter and champion of its promulgation. ... Read more

Book Description