Four Vases of Chrysanthemums - Gustave Caillebotte

A study of chrysanthemums in four vases, painted by Gustave Caillebotte in 1893 during his time at Petit Gennevilliers.

Painted in 1893, Four Vases of Chrysanthemums captures the late-career focus of Gustave Caillebotte on his garden at Petit Gennevilliers. During his final years, Caillebotte dedicated much of his time to horticulture, and the flowers he cultivated became the primary subjects of his studio practice. This work displays his interest in the arrangement of botanical specimens, presenting four distinct vessels of varying sizes and styles upon a textured surface.

The composition is organised to show the diversity of the chrysanthemum species, which were a popular subject among Impressionist painters due to their varied petal structures and colour ranges. Caillebotte employs a palette of soft purples, ochres, and whites, applied with a brushwork that balances descriptive detail with the looser handling characteristic of the period. The blue and white porcelain vase on the right provides a contrast to the simpler containers, adding a layer of domestic detail to the scene.

Unlike his earlier, more rigid urban scenes, this painting reflects a quieter, more personal observation of nature. The perspective is slightly elevated, allowing the viewer to look down upon the table surface, a technique Caillebotte used to flatten the space and focus attention on the interplay of light across the petals and leaves. The background remains neutral, ensuring the focus stays on the floral arrangements. This piece is representative of the artist's transition toward a more intimate style of painting, where the act of gardening and the act of painting became closely linked. It remains a clear example of the Impressionist interest in capturing the ephemeral qualities of light and colour within a controlled, domestic environment.