Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Youth at The Window," painted by Gustave Caillebotte in 1875, is a compelling study of modern urban life. The painting depicts a young man, likely the artist's brother René, standing in a bourgeois interior, looking out of a large window onto a street. The young man's pose is relaxed yet contemplative, with one arm supporting his weight against the wall and the other hanging loosely by his side.

He is dressed in the fashion of the time, with a dark suit and a white shirt, his attire indicating a comfortable, perhaps affluent background. His gaze is directed outward, capturing a sense of curiosity or expectation. The window panes are tall and dominate the composition, divided by delicate muntins. They open onto a Parisian street, hinting at the Haussmannian architecture typical of the period. Outside, a woman in a long dress and bonnet walks along the pavement, providing a sense of scale and activity.

The interior is characterized by its subdued color palette of muted browns, grays, and whites, emphasized by an exquisite attention to light and shadow. This chiaroscuro effect creates a soft glow that gently caresses the young man's face and the room's elements, like the plush chair or the fabric curtains. Caillebotte's brushwork is meticulous, especially in the rendering of textures, such as the young man's clothing and the window's wooden frame, adding a sense of realism and immediacy.

- Creation: The painting was completed in 1875, during the early period of Caillebotte’s career.
- Museum: It is in the collection of the private institution, the J. Paul Getty Museum, in Los Angeles, California.

Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) was a French painter associated with the Impressionist movement, though his style often leaned more toward Realism. Known for his keen observational skills and meticulous detail, Caillebotte's works frequently explore themes of modernity and the sociocultural shifts of his time.

"Youth at The Window" fits seamlessly into Caillebotte's oeuvre, reflecting his preoccupation with modern urban life. Unlike the fluid, quick brushstrokes of his contemporaries like Monet or Renoir, Caillebotte's works often exhibit a sharper clarity and a more structured composition, a nod to his interest in photography, which was emerging as a new art form during this period.

Caillebotte was not only a painter but also a patron of the arts and a collector. He supported many of his Impressionist peers, purchasing their works and helping to organize exhibitions. This painting exemplifies his unique ability to blend impressionistic light and atmosphere with a strikingly realistic depiction of everyday life.

1. Perspective and Composition: The use of the window as a framing device is noteworthy. It allows the viewer to share the man's perspective, inviting contemplation about what lies beyond, thereby merging indoor and outdoor spaces.
2. Emotional Undertone: The contemplative pose of the young man suggests a narrative element—perhaps thoughts of the future, personal reflection, or societal observations, which add depth to the visual experience.
3. Realism vs. Impressionism: This work straddles the line between Realism and Impressionism, highlighting Caillebotte's unique position within the art world. His attention to detail contrasts with the looser, more emotive brushwork of his Impressionist peers.
4. Urban Observation: This painting is a snapshot of Parisian life during a time of great change and modernization, capturing the essence of the city's transformation under Baron Haussmann's renovations. It reveals Caillebotte's fascination with contemporary urban landscapes and the people who inhabit them.

"Youth at The Window" remains a beautiful testament to Caillebotte's exceptional talent in capturing the subtle nuances of modern life, blending meticulous realism with the fleeting impressions of a rapidly changing world.