Gustave Caillebotte

Gustave Caillebotte's style is a fascinating blend of Realism and Impressionism, but with a unique, almost photographic eye. Think Cinematic Captures:

• Realism's Backbone: Caillebotte depicts everyday life in Paris with meticulous detail, particularly the city's modern architecture and the lives of its inhabitants. He wasn't afraid to show the ordinary, even mundane, aspects of urban existence.

• Impressionism's Flair: He adopts Impressionist techniques in his use of light and shadow, fleeting moments, and capturing the atmosphere of a scene. However, his brushstrokes are often smoother and more controlled than classic Impressionists like Monet.

• Unique Perspective: Caillebotte uses dramatic angles, cropped figures, and unusual vantage points to create a sense of immediacy and dynamism. He often draws the viewer into the scene, making them feel like a participant.

Key Themes:

• Modern Urban Life: Caillebotte focuses on the changing cityscape of Paris, the working class, and the leisure activities of the bourgeoisie.
• Intimacy and Observation: Many paintings offer glimpses into private moments and the relationships between people, often tinged with a sense of melancholy or detachment.
• The Male Gaze: His work often depicts men in positions of power, observing or controlling the urban landscape and its inhabitants.

Essentially, Caillebotte offers a cinematic perspective on the everyday, blending the meticulous detail of Realism with the atmospheric flair of Impressionism.