About the artist
Born in Paris, France on August 19, 1848, Gustave Caillebotte was a notable French painter. He was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement, yet his work also showcased a notable Realist aesthetic. Caillebotte's unique style, characterised by naturalistic colours, balanced tones, and an emphasis on perspective, set him apart from his Impressionist contemporaries. He was also influenced by Japanese print art, especially ukiyo-e, often incorporating their tilted perspective in his depictions of Parisian boulevards and river scenes, like in his celebrated work, Paris Street, Rainy Day (1877). Caillebotte refined his skills under the mentorship of Léon Joseph Florentine Bonnat, eventually studying at the esteemed École des Beaux-Arts. Thanks to a generous inheritance, Caillebotte could fully support his artistic ventures and also bolster the careers of artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro by acquiring their art. His body of work is appreciated worldwide, with pieces housed in prestigious institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Caillebotte died in Gennevilliers, France on February 21, 1894.
