Caillebotte's 'Paris Street; Rainy Day' at Art Institute of Chicago
Gustave Caillebotte's iconic painting, 'Paris Street; Rainy Day,' created in 1877, is displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago. It shows people navigating the Place de Dublin, formerly known as Carrefour de Moscou, close to Gare Saint-Lazare in northern Paris. The individuals seem alone in the bustling setting, each representing a 'nameless hero.' Art experts highlight the wintery light, featuring a stylish couple with an umbrella in the forefront—she in a brown dress with a fur coat, and he in formal attire with a top hat. The scene includes a maid by a doorway and a decorator with a ladder. Caillebotte's photography influence is clear in the painting's focus and perspective, making it stand out among Impressionist art. At just 29, he was financially secure, allowing him to support fellow artists.
Key facts
- Gustave Caillebotte created 'Paris Street; Rainy Day' in 1877.
- The painting is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- It depicts the Place de Dublin, formerly Carrefour de Moscou, near Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris.
- The scene is set on a wintry afternoon.
- Caillebotte's use of photography-like focus and perspective is notable.
- The painting was a highlight of the 1877 Impressionist exhibition.
- Caillebotte was 29 years old and financially independent when he painted it.
- His father Martial Caillebotte (1799–1874) had inherited a military textile business.
Entities
Artists
- Gustave Caillebotte
- Martial Caillebotte
Institutions
- Art Institute of Chicago
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Place de Dublin
- Carrefour de Moscou
- Gare Saint-Lazare