
Gustave Caillebotteフランス, 1848–1894In 1881 Gustave Caillebotte purchased a home near Argenteuil, then a rural town on the outskirts of Paris, with his brother Martial, and this led to a notable decrease in his artistic productivity. Caillebotte’s “lost years” coincide with the use of this sketchbook.
The subjects of the drawings in the book—panoramic views, portraits, intimate garden scenes, details of trees and architecture, and copies after other works—reflect Caillebotte’s shift away from his earlier depictions of urban Parisians. None are studies for later works; instead this sketchbook is more experimental, as Caillebotte focused on developing his use of watercolor and drawing out of doors.
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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.
1881
Models for Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party”
Caillebotte was a model for Renoir’s 1881 painting “Luncheon of the Boating Party”.
c. 1882 – 1883
Stops showing his work at the age of 34
Caillebotte stopped showing his work at the age of 34 and devoted himself to gardening and to building and racing yachts.
1887
His brother Martial marries
In 1887 Gustave’s brother Martial married; a year later Gustave moved permanently to Petit-Gennevilliers.
1888
Moving for good to Petit-Gennevilliers: garden and yachts
In 1888 Caillebotte moved permanently to Petit-Gennevilliers, where he devoted himself to gardening and yachting and spent much time with his brother Martial and his friend Renoir.
after 1888
Renoir, a frequent guest at Petit-Gennevilliers
Renoir often came to stay with Caillebotte, and they engaged in far-ranging discussions on art, politics, literature and philosophy.