Finding a new artist - Caillbotte

My dear friend Sue invited me to Philly with her to see an exhibition of the Impressionists, all that were financed or procured by the same dealer, Mr Durand-Ruel.  While this was an amazing exhibition of some of the greatest works of the time, we were also prompted to take the train from Philly to DC to see another exhibition, that of the works of Gustave Caillbotte.

I know that that run is almost over, but if you can get there - it's worth your time. http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/exhibitions/2015/gustave-caillebotte.html

If you have been to Musee d'Orsay you will certainly have seen this amazing painting of three* men scraping the floor of a typical French apartment. My friend Carole lived in two, exactly like this, both in the 16th (arrondisment).

The thing about this Caillbotte guy, is that he came from money, and he spent his money to support other artists, who encouraged him to keep working on his art. His paintings are nearly snapshots of everyday life (like this one) or of amazing perspectives, like his series that appear to be taken from a balcony (or hot air balloon) of the Paris streets.  In most of his work the men are very similar in shape and size and dress, and there is very little actual interaction. In the painting shown above, in fact, it's more like a time lapse, than a painting because that is the same man, in all three figures.

The exhibition would not allow us to take photos, so I didn't. But if you get the chance to see more of the Caillbotte, you really should give yourself that treat.

And taking the train to DC from Philly was a wonderful mode of transportation.