Paris Street Rainy Day 1877 By Gustave Caillebotte

Paris Street Rainy Day 1877 is a large oil painting on canvas. It is the most famous Impressionist painting by Gustave Caillebotte.  What is the story behind this intriguing and enigmatic city scene? First, we explore Caillebotte’s techniques and painterly inspiration.

Gustav Caillebotte Paris Street Rainy Day

This oil on canvas painting depicts a series of individuals strolling through wet Paris streets. Almost everyone has a black umbrella, protecting themselves against the elements. Caillebotte's painting draws attention to the center of the composition to focus on the buildings of Paris. Gustave Caillebotte carefully planned his oil painting with the horizon line separating the work into quarters.

What date is Caillebotte's Famous Painting?

This painting is dated 1877 and entered the 3rd Impressionist Exhibition of the same year. Unlike many impressionist paintings in the exhibition, Gustave Caillebotte’s painting is not a bright, happy scene. Instead, each figure looks downward, and everyone hurries rather than strolls. The umbrellas protect against the rain and separate each individual from the other.  In this way, the painting demonstrates the loneliness common to modern urban life. However, it is an unusually downbeat scene compared to other modern impressionist paintings, such as The Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre Auguste Renoir.

What is the Message in Gustave Caillebotte's Painting?

The Chicago Institute of Art describes this painting as one of the great pictures of urban life in the late 19th century. The painting’s light suggests a wintry afternoon—nevertheless, each figure dresses in the latest contemporary clothing. Indeed, the woman in the foreground wears a fur coat, a fashionable hat, and diamond earrings. Her male companion sports a handsome mustache, top hat, bow tie, and a long coat. In another nod to fashion, his collar stands up. With these details, Gustave Caillebotte presents the newly affluent French middle classes. Nonetheless, some working-class individuals are just visible. For example, a maid stands in a doorway, and a painter carries a ladder.  Like trends in broader society, these working-class individuals become increasingly invisible.

Is Paris Street Rainy Day a Realism Painting?

Gustave Caillebotte's paintings present an intriguing mix of Impressionism and Realism. Unfortunately, while Caillebotte was a patron and friend of many impressionist artists, he did not adopt an Impressionist painting style.  Certain impressionist elements inspired Caillebotte, for instance, the focus on light, but his work is Realistic. Caillebotte’s realist technique involved much more careful and detailed brushstrokes. Close observation of everyday appearance was crucial.  In addition, Caillebotte also used distinct outlines and darker colors. In this, he took inspiration from the invention of modern photography. Indeed, Caillebotte’s realism stretched to replicating photographic effects. 

Look closely, and the pair in the foreground are softer and slightly out of focus. On the other hand, figures in the middle distance have sharp features and clearly defined outlines. Finally, moving toward the back of the composition, the buildings and individuals become blurred. Gustave Caillebotte also crops the work like a quick city snap. Instead of ensuring everyone fits in the composition, the man to the far right only features.

Where is Paris Street Rainy Day Paintings displayed?

Caillebotte’s Paris Street Rainy Day currently hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago, USA. In terms of the location in the oil painting, it depicts the Place de Dublin in Paris, France. Now known as the Carrefour de Moscou, it is a beautiful example of Parisian street architecture.  Gustave Caillebotte's oil painting provides a viewpoint from the east side of the Rue de Turin looking North. The stunning architecture reflects Baron Haussmann’s neo-classical designs for the French capital. These new boulevards inspired many contemporary artists. Indeed, just twenty years later, Camille Pissarro painted the similarly brilliant Boulevard Montmartre at Night.  

Gustave Caillebotte Paintings: Oil Painting Peproductions

Gustave Caillebotte Paris Street Rainy Day forms part of our Art Collections catalog of Cityscape Art. If you enjoy Impressionist fine art reproductions, please explore our catalog of replica paintings. Buy famous art reproductions of impressionist paintings from famous artists Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Paul Cezanne.