GUSTAVE CAILLEBOTTE | Roses jaunes et rouges dans un vase de cristal

huile sur toilesigné en bas à droite

Ambroise Vollard, Paris
Private collection, France
Thence by descent to the present owner

Paris, Galerie Schmit, Cent ans de peinture française, 1969, no. 21, illustrated in the catalogue p. 33

Marie Berhaut, Caillebotte, sa vie et son œuvre, Catalogue raisonné des peintures et pastels, Paris, 1978, no. 324, illustrated p. 190
Marie Berhaut, Gustave Caillebotte, Catalogue raisonné des peintures et des pastels, Paris, 1994, no. 360, illustrated p. 207

The canvas is not lined. Examination under UV light reveals a few spots of retouching most predominately towards the right part of the lower edge and a few additional small dots of retouching towards the centre and the upper part of the left edge. There are a few thin lines of stable craquelure to the most thickly applied pigment in the flowers. There is some minor frame rubbing along the extreme edges. Impasto is rich and well preserved. This work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Roses jaunes et rouges dans un vase de cristal dates from the period when, after the sale of the family estate in Yerres, Gustave Caillebotte purchased a house in Petit-Genevilliers. Close to Argenteuil, this locality was frequented by Monet in 1871, Sisley in 1872, Renoir and then Manet in 1874. Caillebotte became a fervent gardener. He shared this passion (and wrote letters on the subject) with Monet, his neighbour in Giverny whom he often visited down the river, and Octave Mirbeau, art critic who enjoyed lunches where they discussed the three things they loved : painting, flowers and boats. Another journalist wrote "the garden was superb, overflowing with roses and dahlias. The glass walls of the large greenhouse in which the owner of this small suburban palace took his cuttings, shone in the sun. A small deck, in front of his house, allowed him to step into his pleasure boat." (Jean Prasteau, quoted in Marie-Josèphe de Balanda, Gustave Caillebotte, 1988, p.32). Taken during the winter of 1891-1892, the photographs of his brother Martial, testify to the opulence of his residence. At a time when the painter and patron made a point of honour of organising luncheons every month with the members of the Impressionist group to maintain cohesion, he also threw himself into the decoration of the dining room of his cherished home. He painted an invasion of exuberant flowers on the door panels and decorative panels.  In their cylindrical crystal vase the yellow and red roses must surely have participated in this decorative  concert.