"Paris Street, Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte

 This is my favorite painting, so it is fitting for it to be the subject of my first post. I live close to the Art Institute of Chicago, and every time I go I have to see this painting. Part of the reason I love it is because the recent discoveries made by the Art Institute regarding this work. The restorers at the Art Institute recently discovered that before it came to the Art Institute, somebody painted over the sky, so it looked more gray. Other changes occurred as well. the Art Institute restored it back to the lighter, more yellow sky that Caillebotte intended. The sky is meant to be more yellow because the painting depicts the moment that the rain stops and the sun begins to peak through the clouds. I think it is a very interesting moment that Caillebotte chose to depict. A great moment in which to play with light. In addition to the recent restoration effort, I love the composition. I love how the street lamp divides the painting into two sections. It fascinates me that everyone is in their own bubble, how the figures are isolated in the midst of a big city. I love everything about this painting, from its glistening street, to its yellowing sky, I could stare at this painting all day.