Artwork
Chrysanthemums in the Garden at Petit Gennevilliers
Chrysanthemums in the Garden at Petit Gennevilliers is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Gustave Caillebotte. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and had previously passed through the hands of Ira Spanierman and Marlborough Gallery Inc.
The painting shows chrysanthemums growing in the garden at Petit Gennevilliers, rendered by Gustave Caillebotte in 1893 using oil on canvas. The work was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and had previously passed through the hands of Ira Spanierman and Marlborough Gallery Inc. Within the composition the chrysanthemum appears as a botanical element of the garden, underscoring the artist’s focus on everyday plant life.
The depiction situates the flowers within a private domestic setting, suggesting an interest in ordinary natural detail rather than symbolic allegory.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas, dated 1893, measuring 98 cm in height by 59.8 cm in width;. Caillebotte employed the conventional oil‑on‑canvas support typical of his Impressionist practice, applying layered brushwork to render the dense foliage and blooming chrysanthemums that dominate the garden vista. The composition foregrounds a cluster of chrysanthemum blossoms alongside leaves and other flowers, emphasizing naturalistic detail and a flattened spatial depth characteristic of his garden scenes.
The painting’s surface retains the original pigment sheen, and its dimensions allow for a close, intimate viewing of the meticulously observed botanical forms.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Chrysanthemums in the Garden at Petit Gennevilliers was created by Gustave Caillebotte in 1893 using oil on canvas; it is classified as a painting. The work remained in the artist’s native France before entering the collection of dealer Ira Spanierman, who later consigned it to Marlborough Gallery Inc. The piece was subsequently acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is presently housed.
Its dating to 1893 is documented in contemporary records, and its material composition of oil paint on canvas is confirmed by museum catalogues.
Chrysanthemums in the Garden at Petit Gennevilliers, an 1893 oil painting by Gustave Caillebotte, is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to the same source, the work is recorded as being owned by Ira Spanierman and Marlborough Gallery Inc., and is housed within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. No specific accession number, acquisition date, or documented exhibition history is provided in the available sources.
Overview
Gustave Caillebotte's 1897 oil painting, Chrysanthemums in the Garden at Petit Gennevilliers, captures a vibrant floral arrangement. This work exemplifies the French artist's engagement with natural subjects, a common theme among his Impressionist contemporaries. Created shortly before his death, the piece showcases his distinctive approach to depicting light and texture, presenting a dense cluster of blooms from his own garden. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
Gustave Caillebotte, a figure closely aligned with the Impressionist movement, was known for his unique blend of realism and an early interest in photography. Beyond his artistic output, he played a crucial role in supporting his fellow artists through his family's financial resources. This painting, completed in 1897, represents one of his final works, offering insight into his artistic pursuits in the period immediately preceding his death.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Gustave Caillebotte (French: ; 19 August 1848 – 21 February 1894) was a French painter who was a member and patron of the Impressionists, although he painted in a more realistic manner than many others in the group.
Compared in the Impressionism course