Interior, Woman at the Window 1880

Gustave Caillebotte made this painting with oil on canvas to depict a domestic scene. In it, we see a woman looking out of the window, while a man is reading a newspaper. Caillebotte's choice of materials and techniques invites us to consider the changing social context of 19th-century Paris. The lace curtain, depicted with delicate brushstrokes, speaks to the rise of consumer culture, with new textiles and fashions available in department stores. Likewise, the newspaper held by the man reflects the increasing availability of information and the rise of mass media. The paint is applied in layers, with visible brushstrokes that capture the textures of the scene. By emphasizing these details, Caillebotte blurs the lines between fine art and everyday life. The painting is a testament to how materials, making, and context are crucial to the work's full meaning, revealing the social dynamics and consumer culture of its time.