Gustav Caillebotte
Floor Scrapers
1875
In 1993 I visited Paris with my school art class. We had the (unrealised at the time) privilege of visiting many of the art museums in the city.
We saw Monets, Van Goghs, Da Vincis, and more, but the painting that made me go “wow”, was a painting by an artist who is often overlooked as a key artist in the Impressionist movement.
It was towards the end our trip. We’d seen the huge Monet lilies paintings – hugely inspiring, beautiful.
…but, it was a small room in the Musée d’Orsay that struck me.
I think it was the realism of the painting – the light – in an otherwise classically impressionist collection that grabbed me. The way the light hit the floorboard. The bottle of wine and the craft of the floor scrapers, working hard at the task.
What was it that grabbed me?
I loved the light.
Yes, compared to the pointilised impressionists this painting grabbed me with it’s realism too, but it is the execution of that realism.
It is painterly, but controlled – the palette is a masterpiece in control, it’s almost monochromatic.
How does this approach inform my style?
Looking at this painting – and his entire output, he strikes a balance between delivering information and not attempting to recreate exactly what the eye sees.
About Gustav Callebotte
Gustav Callebotte was a painter and collector within the Impressionist movement.
He was born into a wealthy family, a blessing and a curse in a sense – for his art career at least.
His wealth allowed him to bring together contemporary works to put on the first proper “Impressionist” exhibition.
However, most of his output was hidden within his family’s collection until the second half of the twentieth century. His philanthropic approach hid his talents from the world, but here’s my little page to invite you to go and look at his work!
Edward Hopper Nighthawks 1942 A painting that always struck me...
Read More
David Hockney My Parents 1969 Colour! That’s what initially grabbed...
Read More
Gustav Caillebotte Floor Scrapers 1875 In 1993 I visited Paris...
Read More