Perhaps one of the most recognizable paintings of 19th century France is Gustave Caillebote's “Paris Street”; Rainy day." The painting was begun in 1876 and finished in early 1877. “Paris Street” by Gustave Caillebotte; Rainy Day” was first exhibited at the Third Impressionist Exhibition in Paris, held in 1877. Currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago it depicts the intersection of rue de Moscou and rue de Turin, on the rue de Leningrad from the Saint- Lazare. at its southwestern end to Place Clichy. The street was called the New Paris, or the modern capital of Europe. The streets, buildings and amenities that can be seen in the painting were all built during the artist's lifetime. Painting by Gustave Caillebotte “Street of Paris; Rainy Day” is the monumentally large painting with dimensions of approximately 9 feet wide and 7 feet high. The medium of this work is oil on canvas. The lines and shapes are both biomorphic and geometric. We can observe biomorphic elements in some parts of the water, in the paving stones made slippery by the rain and in the figures as they cross them. The lines, pulleys and some parts of the waves are examples of geometric elements in the painting. In this almost life-size figurative masterpiece, the color scheme has a limited range of hues with predominantly blue and red accents. There are some strong value contrasts, but the overall intensity is rather dull. Caillebotte is giving a complete picture of life in the city after the storm without open brush work, showing his amazing drawing skills. There is a sense of line, contours and shapes that exists in three-dimensional space. “Street of Paris; Rainy Day “gives...... half the card...... for both women and men. Umbrellas not only protected people from the rain, but more importantly played a key role as accessories for a modern Parisian. In conclusion, “Paris Street; Rainny Day” has been called one of the most effective paintings of the modern cityscape of 19th century Paris. At first we see the image of the city after the storm, but looking closer, it actually reveals much more about the social condition and captures the atmosphere of its time. Its popularity is ensured by the fact that although its massage may be uncomfortable, it opens our eyes to social problems that we can still describe in modern times. Sources: www.artic.edu/aic/.../artist/Caillebotte,+GustaveArt Institute of Chicagowww.britannica.com/.../Gustave-Caillebottewww.npr.org › Art and life › Art and design › Fine arts