Game Birds And Lemons 1883

Gustave Caillebotte painted "Game Birds And Lemons," an oil on canvas work, sometime in the late 19th century. Caillebotte was a fascinating figure, an upper-class Parisian who used his family's wealth to support the Impressionist movement. This still life depicts dead birds arranged with lemons on what appears to be a tabletop. The birds, lifeless and displayed as trophies or food, reflect the social and cultural norms of the time, particularly regarding hunting and dining practices among the bourgeoisie. The stark contrast between the vibrant yellow lemons and the muted tones of the dead fowl elicits a complex emotional response. Is this a commentary on abundance, the thrill of the hunt, or perhaps a more profound reflection on mortality? Caillebotte’s still life invites us to consider the cultural values embedded in our everyday lives.