Les raboteurs de parquet
Gustave Caillebotte · 1875
Why it's great
Three men kneel on the floor of an apartment to scrape and plane a wooden floor, their bare backs gleaming. Caillebotte painted the workers with the same care as a rich family. This was rare and a bit shocking in 1875. It's famous for its dramatic perspective and its respect for labor.
Where to see it
📍 Musée d'OrsayParis, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Gustave Caillebotte was born into a wealthy Paris family and trained as a lawyer and engineer before painting. He was an Impressionist, but his pictures often show unusual high or low perspectives of the modern city. He generously used his money to support his friends, buying their paintings. He lived near Paris and died in Gennevilliers at 45.
