The artwork entitled “Game Birds and Lemons” is a fine example of Gustave Caillebotte’s contribution to the Impressionism movement. Painted in 1883, this oil on canvas still life measures 51 x 81 cm and is currently held in a private collection. Characteristic of Impressionist art, it depicts an everyday subject with vivid brushstrokes and attention to how light interacts with surfaces.
In the artwork, a trio of game birds is juxtaposed with two brightly colored lemons. The birds are unceremoniously presented, lying lifeless against a stark, contrasting background. The rough texture of the bird feathers is rendered with loose, expressive brushstrokes, demonstrating Caillebotte’s mastery of the medium. Light illuminates the scene, particularly highlighting the birds’ plumage and the vibrant citrus fruits, accentuating the play between shadow and light typical of Impressionist paintings. Despite the inanimate nature of the subjects, the composition has a dynamic quality, with the arrangement of the birds and lemons creating a sense of movement across the canvas. The subtle but effective use of shadows and textures infuses the still life with realism while embracing the artist’s distinctive stylistic approach.
