CAILLEBOTTE, Gustave (1848-1894)

CAILLEBOTTE, Gustave (1848-1894)

Autograph letter signed « G Caillebotte » to Claude Monet
S.l.n.d, Friday [Petit-Gennevilliers, after 1887], 1 p. in-8°, black ink
« Petit-Gennevilliers (Seine) » letterhead
Some tiny ink smudges

Caillebotte participates in the flowering of his friend Monet’s garden in Giverny

« Mon cher ami,
Je vous envoie une bourriche de plantes vivaces (2 espèces), la moins nombreuse est un Aster dont je ne sais pas le nom. Fleur blanche, floraison continuelle depuis juin – plante assez basse, monte à 0,50 – 060 [cm]
L’autre est le Boltonia glastifolia – très belle plante. Fleurit [en] septembre. Hauteur 2 m à 2 m 50. Effet extraordinaire en masse.
Tout à vous
G Caillebotte »

The two painters had become friends as early as 1882, when they shared the same workshop. Horticulture, in addition to painting, was the other common passion of the two friends. Thus they experimented on their canvases but also in their respective gardens, in Giverny and Petit-Gennevilliers.

Caillebotte, in addition to his prodigious pictorial work, never ceased to maintain the links between the Impressionists, even after the break of the group in 1887. He organized many exhibitions, discreetly bought paintings from his friends, helped them when they were in need, like Monet or Pissarro. Caillebotte managed to forge close friendships with most of the Impressionists, as evidenced by his rich correspondence, even though he died at only 45 years old.