Caillebotte. Painting men

Gustave Caillebotte, impressionist painter, benefactor and collector, took a unique approach to male portraits that made him stand out from the crowd. He shone a light on his immediate environment, Haussmannian Paris and the surrounding area. Taking inspiration from his brothers, his sailing friends and workers, he painted unusual figures such as ****city workers, athletes and even nude men engaged in the intimate act of washing themselves.

This exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay presents some 70 artworks including pastels, sketches, photographs and documents that reveal the masculine identity through Caillebotte’s realistic, modern vision.

This event marks the 130th anniversary of the artist’s death, which also coincides with the year of his bequest to the State of his impressionist paintings. On this occasion, his collection will go on display in a special room to breathe new life into the ‘Caillebotte room’ of the Musée du Luxembourg of 1897.

Men according to Gustave Caillebotte

The exhibition highlights the modernity of the men’s portraits painted by Caillebotte. You'll see some of his major works, like The Floor Scrapers and Paris Street; Rainy day, and explore the way in which the artist brought into question the social and sexual order of his era.

While other artists generally focused on painting women, busy at home or engaged in hobbies, Gustave Caillebotte provided an unprecedented perspective on the daily lives of ordinary men.
This exploration of masculinity is also present in his recent works and in key acquisitions such as Young Man at His Window.

The Yerres period, also worth exploring

This exhibition follows on from the multiple retrospectives devoted to Caillebotte’s work. It also sheds light on his period in Yerres and his passion for gardens.

At the Maison Caillebotte in Yerres, near Paris, the artist would spend time painting, thus strengthening his links with the worlds of photography and horticulture. This is a key aspect of his artistic legacy. An impressionism hotspot that has to be seen.

Another exhibition in the Paris Region ?