Paris Street, Rainy Day - Caillebotte

The painting "Paris Street; Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte, created in 1877 in Place de Dublin, is a clear example of Impressionism, although it incorporates elements of Realism that set it apart from other artists of the same movement. The composition is notable for its treatment of perspective, with a vanishing point that directs the gaze to the background of the Parisian street. Caillebotte uses geometric lines to organize the space, creating a highly structured and controlled urban environment, in contrast to the spontaneous and loose nature of traditional impressionist brushstrokes.

The characters, seemingly absorbed in their own world and oblivious to one another, reflect the modernity of life in the big city and the growing social alienation it brought with it. The meticulous technique with which he captures the reflections of water on the cobblestones, as well as the way the figures interact with their surroundings, shows a great mastery in observing light and its effects. This work positions Caillebotte as an artist who, although aligned with Impressionism, explores a visual language of his own, closer to photographic precision. In the end, the umbrella becomes an icon of the painting, as if it were protecting the passersby not only from the rain but also from the indifference of the big city.