Gustave Caillebotte as Worker, Collector, Painter

Gustave Caillebotte was a multifaceted individual who pursued various interests, including painting, collecting postage stamps, designing and racing yachts, cultivating rare orchids, and organizing Impressionist exhibitions. This book explores his passions and achievements, highlighting their profound impact on his art. Caillebotte, born into an affluent family, rejected a life of luxury and sought opportunities to work hard, studying others diligently. His understanding of work and class allowed him to forge a new sense of self and establish his place in the world during a time of reshaping definitions. This book offers a fresh perspective on Caillebotte, presenting him as a more nuanced, complex, and fascinating artist, contributing to 19th-century art history, impressionist studies, and French social history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Gustave Caillebotte, a multifaceted individual, transcended the realm of painting to encompass a diverse range of interests and pursuits. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Caillebotte actively collected postage stamps, meticulously designed and raced yachts, nurtured rare orchids, amassed a remarkable collection of Impressionist masterpieces, and organized groundbreaking Impressionist exhibitions.

Born into an upper-class family, Caillebotte found himself grappling with an inherent discomfort within the confines of his privileged upbringing. Instead of succumbing to the allure of idle luxury, he actively sought out opportunities to engage in meaningful work. His relentless pursuit of labor led him to observe and study others diligently, gaining a profound understanding of the human condition.

Caillebotte's timing was impeccable, as the definitions of work and class were undergoing a transformative process in response to the needs of a newly established Republic. He capitalized on the malleability of these concepts to forge a new sense of self and carve out his place in the world. Through his various endeavors, Caillebotte demonstrated his ability to adapt and evolve, making him a distinctive and innovative figure within the Impressionist movement.

In examining Caillebotte's multifaceted existence as a worker, collector, and painter, this book offers a fresh perspective on the artist. By delving into his laborious pursuits, artistic endeavors, and material practices, readers gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the art. The Caillebotte that emerges from this study is more complex, nuanced, and captivating than previously recognized, presenting a new interpretation of the artist's labor, art, and material practice in its broadest sense.

As a significant contribution to 19th-century art history, impressionist studies, and French social history, Gustave Caillebotte: As Worker, Collector, and Painter sheds light on the lesser-known aspects of this remarkable artist's life and work. By exploring the intersections of Caillebotte's passions and achievements, this book provides a valuable addition to our understanding of the Impressionist movement and its impact on the art world.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501388101