Description
Although Caillebotte was a friend and patron of many of the impressionist painters, and this work is part of that school, it differs in its realism and reliance on line rather than broad brush strokes.
Caillebotte’s interest in photography is evident. The figures in the foreground appear “out of focus”, those in the mid-distance (the carriage and the pedestrians in the intersection) have sharp edges, while the features in the background become progressively indistinct. The severe cropping of some figures – particularly the man to the far right – further suggests the influence of photography.
The painting was first shown at the Third Impressionist Exhibition of 1877. It is currently owned by the Art Institute of Chicago. AIC curator Gloria Groom described the work as “the great picture of urban life in the late 19th century.”
Bibliography
Paris Street; Rainy Day, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paris_Street;_Rainy_Day&oldid=1086216445 (last visited Aug. 5, 2022).
