Paris Street;Rainy Day
Paris Street; Rainy Day is a large 1877 oil painting by the French artist Gustave Caillebotte (1848–1894),
and is his best known work. It currently is owned by the Art Institute of Chicago.
Original Painting by G. Cailebotte
The photographic qualities of the work is an exceptional figurative document of the Parisian life of the late nineteenth century, are noteworthy: observe the compositional cut, with the subjects emerging from the pictorial space.
With his brush, in fact, Caillebotte also intends to describe, without omitting its lights and shadows, the progressive social affirmation of the Parisian bourgeoisie, isolated in itself, which preserves the attitudes of the passer-by, with the nose turned down, immersed as they are in their thoughts, all headed home or at work. It would almost seem that the umbrellas are open not only to shelter from the rain, but also from the looks of the crowd that runs.
To appreciate the rainy charm of this winter Paris there seems to be only the couple in the foreground dressed in the fashion of the time. Their attention is captured by an event that takes place outside the pictorial space, and the two do not pay attention to what is happening around them.
Below: several steps during mosaic composition
Mosaic Artwork
The painting expresses a sensation, a moment, the mosaic takes up this moment, and translates it. The sidewalk seems wet, the atmosphere is what a rainy day is at the end of '800 in Paris.
The chosen enamels enhance this feeling by elevating the work, which becomes a tribute to the great artist.
Composition:
Venetian enamels and gold leaf mosaic.
Dimensions:
162x210 cm.