Gustave Caillebotte’s artwork titled “A Balcony in Paris,” created between 1880 and 1881, is an oil on canvas that exemplifies the cityscape genre, characteristic of the Impressionist movement with which the artist was associated. The artwork’s dimensions are 39 by 55.2 centimeters and, as of the knowledge cutoff in April 2023, it belongs to a private collection.
The artwork captures a high vantage point overlooking a street in Paris, as viewed from a balcony. The balcony railing, ornately wrought with swirling designs, is prominently featured in the foreground, creating a sense of depth and framing the city view. Beyond the railing, the Parisian architecture unfolds in a palette of soft earth tones and muted colors, conveying the atmosphere of urban life. Light and shadow play across the building facades and the street below, where tiny figures can be glimpsed, adding to the painting’s sense of realism and scale.
Caillebotte’s treatment of the urban landscape, the way he plays with perspective, and his focus on the effects of light, are all hallmarks of the Impressionist movement, seeking to capture the fleeting moments of modern life. The viewer is invited into an intimate moment of contemplation, peering over the balcony with a privileged view of the city’s grandeur and the everyday activity of its inhabitants.
