painting of the month

Still Life with Buddha, Lobsters and Oysters -- Lovis Corinth, 1916 (Galerie G. Paffrath, Germany/www.the-athenaeum.org)

164 years of caillebotte

Gustave Caillebotte was born today in 1848 in Paris; his family was well-to-do and socially established, and before fully focusing on art, Caillebotte studied engineering and law.  He was part of the French Impressionist circle and not only bankrolled exhibits of their work but helped keep some of his comrades afloat -- particularly Monet.  Still, Caillebotte's paintings aren't really as impressionistic as those of the others and have more of a defined and often distinct perspective.  Caillebotte's 1877 Paris Street, Rainy Day is perhaps his best-known effort and now a focal point of the Chicago Art Institute's collection, but there are many other great Caillebotte paintings, a few of which are pictured here.  Caillebotte died far too young from pulmonary problems at the age of 45, and his far-sighted generosity continued on after his death with the placement of his fellow Impressionists' works at the Luxembourg and The Barnes Foundation. 


Pictured Caillebotte paintings:  On the Pont de l'Europe, circa 1877 (Kimbell Art Museum); Sunflowers on the Banks of the Seine, 1886 (the-athenaeum.org); Fruit Displayed on a Stand, circa 1881 (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)