Titled “A Balcony, Boulevard Haussmann,” this artwork is an oil on canvas genre painting executed in 1880 by the artist Gustave Caillebotte. A fine example of the Impressionist movement, the painting is currently held within a private collection. The Impressionists were known for their loose brushwork, interest in light, and everyday subject matter.
The artwork presents a view from a balcony overlooking the Boulevard Haussmann, a bustling and fashionable district in Paris. Two figures, presumably male, stand on the balcony, one leaning over the railing while the other stands slightly back, both gazing out onto the street. They are dressed in the attire of the time, suggesting the painting takes place during the late 19th century. The architecture of the surrounding Parisian buildings is captured with a blend of detail and the atmospheric quality characteristic of Impressionism. The foliage, which partially obscures the view, is rendered with quick, dappled brushstrokes conveying the vibrancy of the greenery. Caillebotte’s work shows the private moment of urban dwellers, providing insight into the daily life of Paris during this era.
