The Sunflowers (Les Tournesols)
Painting on canvas • Gustave Caillebotte
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; features Impressionist wet-on-wet technique, short broken brushstrokes, and moderate impasto to represent the texture of flower petals and leafy vegetation.
Creation Period
Circa 1881
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 90 x 70 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The painting depicts a lush garden of sunflowers in the foreground, with the architecture of a suburban villa or outbuildings in the background. It captures the play of light on organic and geometric forms, emphasizing the rustic charm of Petit Gennevilliers.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the surface appears stable with well-preserved pigment vibrancy and healthy paint film integrity.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000,000 - $8,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$5,000,000 - $7,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely descended through the artist's family or estate before entering private or public collections; Caillebotte's works were famously part of the Caillebotte Bequest to the French state, though many garden scenes remained in private hands.
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work demonstrating Caillebotte's transition from urban realism to lush Impressionist garden scenes. It reflects his personal passion for horticulture and his role as a key patron and participant in the Impressionist exhibitions.
Notable Features
Distinctive architectural geometry contrasted with wild floral growth; characteristic thick application of yellow ochre and cadmium yellows; lacks the rigid perspective of his earlier Paris street scenes.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dirt accumulation; potential slight flattening of impasto if previously lined; no major visible losses or active flaking.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning recommended; maintain in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting; use of a museum-quality protective frame.