The Orange Trees

Gustave Caillebotte (1848 – 1894) was a French painter and patron of the Impressionists artists. Caillebotte was a friend of many of the impressionist painters, and this painting is part of that tradition; however, it differs in its realism and reliance on-line and not broad brush strokes. “The Orange Trees” portrays Caillebotte’s brother Martial reading in the shade of the orange trees. Their cousin, Zoé, is standing at one of the garden planters, which contain the trees. The poses of both suggest that they are each enjoying the afternoon quietly with their private thoughts.