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