View Seen Through a Balcony

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.

1878

His mother dies: the brothers divide the fortune

In 1878 the artist’s mother, Céleste Daufresne, died; the surviving sons, Gustave and Martial, divided the family fortune.

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.

1881

Buys a property at Petit-Gennevilliers on the Seine

In 1881 Caillebotte acquired a property at Petit-Gennevilliers on the banks of the Seine near Argenteuil; it had a shipyard where he could design his own yachts.