Vue de toits

1876

His younger brother René dies

In 1876 René (1851–1876), Gustave’s younger brother, died; in some of his early works Caillebotte had used his mother and brothers as models.

1876

A debut at the Second Impressionist Exhibition

In 1876 Caillebotte made his debut at the Second Impressionist Exhibition with eight paintings, including “The Floor Scrapers” (1875), his earliest masterpiece.

c. 1876 – 1878

Writes his will before the age of thirty

Convinced after René’s death that his own life would be short, Caillebotte wrote his will while still in his twenties, bequeathing a large collection to the French government.

1877

Takes charge of the Third Impressionist Exhibition

By the Third Impressionist Exhibition in 1877 Caillebotte had assumed the leadership role: he secured rental space, selected artists and works and hung the paintings. His involvement eventually declined, but in the end he showed works in five of the eight Impressionist exhibitions.

after 1878

Living with his brother Martial: photographs after his paintings

After their parents’ deaths Gustave lived for a long time with his brother Martial, first in Paris and then in Gennevilliers, where they bought an estate; the brothers shared an interest in faience collecting, philately and sailing, and Martial, a composer and photographer, often reproduced the compositions of his brother’s paintings in his photographs.

1879

The Fourth Impressionist Exhibition: 35 works on water and leisure

In 1879 Caillebotte submitted 35 paintings and pastels on water sports, boating and riverside leisure; “Oarsman in a Top Hat” (Boating Party) was considered one of the best of them, and the show is described as the most important exhibition of his works during his lifetime.