Argenteuil, the Funfair

In 1883 Argenteuil was a small town on the Seine, a short train ride from Paris, and Caillebotte signed and dated this canvas that year. It is catalogued as Argenteuil, fête foraine, a funfair at Argenteuil, yet the fair itself is easy to miss. Look under the trees on the right for a long red awning, and at the far left for a few small flags hung above the road. Most of the picture belongs to the broad, pale avenue in strong sun. There is a green lamppost, a handcart left at the edge of the pavement, and one man walking down the middle of the road, while the trees overhead are in white flower. The signature and the date, 1883, sit in the blue shadow at lower left.