Hors d'Oeuvre 1882

Gustave Caillebotte, a wealthy Parisian and avid yachtsman, painted this still life called Hors d'Oeuvre with oil on canvas. During the late 19th century, France, a nation still grappling with the aftermath of revolution and social upheaval, experienced rapid industrialization, which brought shifts in class structures and social customs. As a man of privilege and wealth, Caillebotte often painted scenes of bourgeois leisure and domesticity. Here, Caillebotte presents an intimate glimpse into the culinary rituals of the French upper class. However, the choice of hors d'oeuvres, rather than a lavish main course, evokes a sense of restraint and refinement which highlights the era's emphasis on social etiquette and decorum. The composition invites contemplation on the ways in which food, class, and identity intersect, echoing broader societal concerns about wealth and power, all while speaking to the intimate and personal dimensions of everyday life.