REVIEW - Caillebotte in Den Haag
Review about the exposition Caillebotte in Gemeente Museum Den Haag. I visited the exposition on the 30th of March 2013 together with my grandmother.
Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) was as an artist and as a patron an important person for the French impressionism. He supported friends like Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir. Photography was for him an advantage; his compositions show new and unknown (for that period) perspectives.
Exposition
The exposition in Gemeente Museum Den Haag is good organised. The paintings are combined with photography of photographers of the same period. So you will see the perspective (and photo) from the photographer next to Caillebotte.
Most of the rooms are themed like 'views of the city', 'people', 'flowers and gardens' and some aren't.
There are a few well-known paintings like "Raboteurs de parque" (1875). There's also a painting from Claude Monet "Les glycines" (1925).
My opinion
I didn't see that many of Caillebotte yet. I was really surprised of the beauty of the exposition (the way they show you the paintings in combination with the photography) and of the versatility of the paintings (really really detailed versus more impressionism). You will see different styles of paintings all by Caillebotte himself. You will see that he's searching for a style he likes and supports (impressionism).
By the room about flowers I didn't like the paintings of Caillebotte that mutch. But there was also a painting of Monet (wow! Really beautiful colours and composition!). It was really interesting to see the differences between the two painters and friends!
The only thing that wasn't that great was the lightening. Sometimes you saw a reflection of the light in the painting and that bothered me. But the grey walls were perfect and the information on the walls (and in the catalogue) are more than enough. I thought that it wasn't that necessary to buy the catalogue for the information. I got it from my grandmother afterwards (thank you!) and I think it is really nice to have the opportunity to read and look in it afterwards at home or something like that.
I think it is a perfect way to get in contact with Caillebotte and to see the world (as far as possible) through his eyes. I really enjoyed it! If you have the opportunity to visit it, you must do!
Top three of paintings by Caillebotte
1. "Raboteurs de parque" (1875)
2. "Le pont de l'Europe" (1876-1877)
much much better in reallife!
3. Difficult to choose.... I will go for "Portrait de Paul Hugot" (1878)
But there were many many many beautiful and interesting paintings!
