Caillebotte and Impressionism

            During the 19^th century Impressionism developed in art, this kind of art was very different than the standard set by the Academics. Claude Monet was an Impressionist artist, he found interest in the observation of light and color which was reflected in his art. Gustave Caillbotte was an artist that some would argue fits into the Impressionistic style. When one compares Monet’s Rowen Cathedral: The Portal (in sun) to Caillbotte’s Pont de I’Europe, it will become obvious whether or not Callibotte work fits into Impressionism.

            Before Impressionism began, artists were painting for the Academy. The Academy only accepted works that had a smooth finish and interest in perspective. They also required that the painting’s subject matter should be historical, mythological or biblical. Impressionism was a way for artists to revolt against the Academy. Artists started painting plein air, outdoors, which was made possible with the invention of oil paints in metal collapsible tubes. Monet’s painting of the Rowen Cathedral is a perfect example of Impressionism. His painting incorporates the idea of impasto which is a very thick application of paint which leaves the surface rough when finished. Monet utilizes impasto in a way that helps depict the architectural elements of the Cathedral. The painting is done plein air, and shows the urbanization of Paris. Impressionist artist were interested in conveying realism through observation of time of day at different locations in Paris. Monet was known for painting the same location many times to truly capture how sunlight or the lack of sun affects color. His painting depicts the Cathedral in sunlight, his colors are pale as they would be if the sun was shining on the building, and the shadows help convey this too. Monet’s piece appears sketch like, spontaneous and alla prima, meaning he was painting all at once from the beginning. One can see Monet’s loose brush strokes, which is an impressionistic style. Impressionist art usually does not have a narrative behind the subject matter, which is true in Monet’s painting. His subject matter is a moment in time of the Rowen Cathedral. Impressionist artist treat their canvas as a flat object, they do not use perspective to create a sense of depth. In Monet’s painting there is some atmospheric perspective in the depiction of the sky, besides that the canvas is relatively flat.

            Caillebotte’s painting Pont de I’Europe, represent some Impressionistic styles. Pont de I’Europe was painted plein air and depicts the urbanization of Paris. Caillebotte does not utilize impasto; instead he has a smooth finish which the Academy would favor, though there are some loose strokes evident. Caillebotte is also interested in realism and observing the effects of light and color. In his painting there are signs of sunlight coming through the structural wall. The color in his painting helps convey a nice day in Paris. Similar to Monet’s painting, Pont de I’Europe depicts a moment in time. Different from Monet’s piece there is more to the subject matter. The dog in the foreground is, in a way Caillebotte’s commentary on Modern life. At the time, the bourgeois was very fearful of rabies because many poor were dying from owning pets with rabies. There seems to be even more subject matter in the case of the woman and the man that seems to be listening or looking at the woman. Caillebotte creates a sense of depth in his painting. The way the structural wall is depicted at an angle increases the visual depth.

            After comparing Rowen Cathedral: The Portal (in sun) and Pont de I’Europe, I came to the conclusion that Impressionism is evident in Caillebotte’s painting yet there is almost an equal amount of Academic style seen as well. Gustave Caillebotte’s style is between the two different styles, utilizing the elements he likes from both styles. I think that Caillebotte took the truly aesthetic beauty of the Academic while using plein air and realism of Impressionism.