Nasturtiums - Gustave Caillebotte

A study of nasturtiums by Gustave Caillebotte, capturing the organic forms and colours of his garden in Petit-Gennevilliers through expressive brushwork.

Gustave Caillebotte, a central figure in the Impressionist circle, produced this study of nasturtiums during his later years at his property in Petit-Gennevilliers. The work reflects his personal interest in horticulture, a pursuit that occupied much of his time after he moved away from the urban subjects that defined his earlier career. Unlike his contemporaries who often focused on expansive outdoor scenes, Caillebotte here adopts a close-up perspective, treating the flowers as the primary subject against a textured, earthy background.

The composition is notable for its flattened depth, which brings the foliage and blooms to the front of the picture plane. The artist employs short, visible brushstrokes to render the rounded leaves and the bright orange petals of the nasturtiums. The background consists of a warm, ochre-toned wash, applied with a rhythmic, almost mosaic-like technique that suggests the soil or a garden wall. This approach allows the cool greens of the leaves and the warm oranges of the flowers to stand out without the need for traditional modelling or heavy shadows.

Caillebotte was an avid gardener, and his paintings from this period often document the specific flora he cultivated. This piece demonstrates his ability to balance observation with a decorative sensibility. The arrangement of the stems and leaves follows a loose, organic structure, avoiding rigid symmetry. By focusing on the immediate details of the plant, the artist captures the character of the nasturtium, from the peltate shape of its leaves to the delicate clusters of its blossoms. The work remains a clear example of his late-period style, where the focus shifted toward the intimate study of nature and the personal environment of his garden.