An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Nude on a Couchc. 1880
Artist: Gustave Caillebotte
French, 1848 - 1894
Nude female figure lying on a flowered couch
51 x 77 in. (129.54 x 195.58 cm) (sight)
65 7/8 × 91 1/4 × 4 1/4 in. (167.32 × 231.78 × 10.8 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The John R. Van Derlip Fund
In the quiet corners of art history, where shadows linger and whispers of the past echo, a single painting stands apart—a testament to the bold spirit of Gustave Caillebotte around the 1880s. Unlike the others in his collection of male and female nudes, this canvas presents a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the human form. Its strokes are not delicate; they are resolute, each brushstroke an unwavering observation of anatomy that pulses with life.
As one gazes at the painting, the reality of the moment seeps in, carrying with it a hint of something deeper—a sexual innuendo that dances just beneath the surface. It tells a story, not just of the model but of the connection that eventually bloomed between her and Caillebotte himself as she became his mistress. In this intimacy, the painting challenges the conventions of its time, pushing back against the constraints of idealized beauty that the art world upheld like a sacred rule.
In this work, Caillebotte takes a daring step beyond the canvas, defying the acceptable standards of taste and morality prevalent in his era. He stood firm in his beliefs, showcasing the human form in its natural state, raw and unabashed. This act of defiance, however, had its consequences; the painting would remain unseen by the public eye, barred from exhibitions and shunned from the marketplace during Caillebotte's lifetime.
And so, this artwork became a silent rebel, an embodiment of its creator's convictions; it lingered in the shadows of obscurity, waiting, yearning for a time when its truth could finally be embraced. The boldness of Caillebotte’s dedication to authenticity remains a powerful reminder of the artistry that thrives in the whispers of rebellion, inviting us to reflect on our own perceptions of beauty and propriety.
About the artist
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