The Billiard Table
- Original dimensions
- 80 x 61 cm
Scene depicted
The painting The Billiard depicts two men absorbed in a game of billiards, frozen in an atmosphere of concentration. The composition highlights a play of shadows and light, creating a relaxed yet electric ambiance, while the rest of the space suggests the lively life of a Parisian café.
Historical context
Œuvre : The Billiard |BRK| Artiste : Gustave Caillebotte |BRK| Année : 1875 |BRK| Musée : Not specified |BRK| Dimensions : 80 x 61 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
The Billiard marks a turning point in Caillebotte's career, leaning towards a more intimate and scenic approach. Comparatively, his two other paintings, The Gendarmes and The Bridges of Paris , are influential examples of his stylistic evolution, between realism and impressionism .
Anecdote
Gustave Caillebotte once declared: "Painting for me is a journey into the everyday, capturing a second of life." One spring morning in Paris, billiard players caught his eye, inspiring this masterpiece that immortalizes the conviviality and energy of this scene.