The artwork “Rooftops in the Snow, Paris” by Gustave Caillebotte was created in 1878. As a notable work of the Impressionist movement, it is fashioned in oil on cardboard and portrays a unique cityscape genre. The dimensions of this artwork are 60 x 72.5 cm. It is currently held in a private collection, encapsulating Caillebotte’s perspective of the urban transformation of Paris during his time.
The artwork presents a high vantage point overlooking a dense, urban environment blanketed in snow. The painting’s composition is dominated by the sharp geometric forms of buildings and the contrasting softness of the accumulated snow. The rooftops, a mix of different shapes and sizes, create a fragmented tapestry of Parisian architecture. Several chimneys rise prominently against a muted sky, emitting a subtle hint of smoke, which adds to the urban atmosphere and a sense of life in the otherwise still cityscape.
Caillebotte has captured the inclement weather and the play of light with delicate brushwork, a characteristic technique of Impressionism. The color palette is relatively subdued, with an ample use of whites and browns, which contributes to a realistic depiction of a snowy day in Paris. Subtle shadows provide depth and form to the structures, while the viewer’s eye is drawn through the composition by the converging lines of the streets below, leading to the horizon.
This piece is emblematic of Caillebotte’s interest in modern urban life and the changing landscape of Paris during the late 19th century, as well as his ability to translate the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere onto the canvas. The result is an atmospheric and evocative portrayal of the city, which both documents a specific moment in time and transcends it through its artistic rendering.
