Study for 'The Parquet Planers' 1875

This is a study for ‘The Parquet Planers’, painted by Gustave Caillebotte with oil on canvas. Look closely, and you will see the artist's intense interest in the craft of woodworking. The image captures the atmosphere of labor through his focus on the figures' postures, actions, and the tools they use. Caillebotte emphasizes the physical effort required to prepare a parquet floor. The artist highlights the workers' skilled techniques and the repetitive nature of their task. Their bodies are bent and strained, conveying a sense of exertion and dedication to their craft. By representing the material and its transformation, Caillebotte elevates the status of manual labor within the realm of fine art, challenging traditional hierarchies. The painting shows the dignity of work, and invites us to consider its social and economic context in 19th-century Paris.