Boating on the Yerres 1878

Gustave Caillebotte made this oil painting, Boating on the Yerres, in 1877. Caillebotte used traditional art materials: canvas, oil paints and brushes. But look at how he has used them. The strokes are thick and distinct, creating texture and depth. Caillebotte’s application of paint is visible in the water, the boat, and the figure’s clothing. It’s almost as if he wants us to see the labor involved in creating the painting. Consider the social context: Caillebotte was from a wealthy family and could afford to spend his time painting scenes of leisure. The subject matter – boating – speaks to the privilege and leisure of the upper class, far removed from the struggles of the working class. Yet Caillebotte's style, emphasizing the materiality of paint, brings a sense of grounding to the scene, as if insisting that even leisure is work of a kind. By focusing on the materials, the making, and the context, we can better appreciate the full meaning of Caillebotte's work. It challenges us to think about the relationship between fine art, social class, and the labor involved in making art.