The artwork titled “Rib of Beef,” created by Gustave Caillebotte circa 1882, is an oil painting on canvas representing a still life. As a work from the Impressionism movement, it resides in a private collection. The piece exemplifies the qualities of Impressionist art through its brushwork and composition.
Upon examination, the artwork showcases a raw slab of beef with a sizable rib section. The meat’s texture is rendered with expressive, tactile brushstrokes that capture the variegated reds of the muscle and the whites of the fat. Caillebotte’s skilful use of color creates a striking contrast against the pale blue background that imbues the piece with a sense of depth and realism. The dark upper portion of the backdrop provides a stark counterbalance to the brightly lit subject matter. The shadowed foreground suggests the meat is resting on a surface, anchoring the composition and underscoring its status as a classical still life. Caillebotte’s interest in ordinary subjects, depicted with a potent sense of presence and materiality, is evident in this contemplative and unadorned presentation of a simple cut of beef.
