Paris Street, Rainy Day
“Paris Street; Rainy Day” (French: Rue de Paris, temps de pluie) is a remarkable painting by French artist Gustave Caillebotte, completed in 1877. It is considered one of the most recognizable works of Impressionist art and a masterful depiction of modern urban life in 19th-century Paris.
The painting is quite large in size: 212.2 × 276.2 cm.
The canvas depicts an intersection in the Place de l’Europe area of Paris during a rainy day. The main figures are Parisians with umbrellas, hurrying through the streets, embodying the dynamic rhythm of everyday life. The broad perspective, precise architectural details, and realistic lighting create the effect of a photographic snapshot.
A unique feature of the painting is the combination of academic realism with elements of Impressionism: attention to detail, the damp atmosphere, reflections in puddles, and a strong sense of depth.
Gustave Caillebotte is less known than Monet or Renoir, but his works often contain innovative approaches to composition. “Paris Street; Rainy Day” illustrates the influence of photography on painting, as well as a shift in how the city was viewed — from romantic to realistic and urban.
Today, the painting is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago and attracts millions of art enthusiasts from around the world.
P.S. Image attribution: Gustave Caillebotte, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons