Location and Perspective

Monet painted this scene from the upper-level balconies of the building at 35 Boulevard des Capucines, which was the studio of the photographer Félix Nadar. This vantage point allowed him to capture the bustling street life of Paris from a unique and elevated perspective.

Composition and Technique

The painting features short, quick brushstrokes and minimal detail, characteristic of Monet's Impressionist style. This technique creates the "impression" of people and vehicles in motion, capturing the dynamic and fragmented nature of modern urban life. The use of blue shadows and bold brushstrokes adds to the sense of movement and energy.

Criticism and Reception

Boulevard des Capucines was exhibited at the First Impressionist Exhibition in April 1874, although there is some debate over whether the version now at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City or the one at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow was the one displayed. Critics at the time, such as Ernest Chesneau and Ernest d’Hervilly, praised Monet's ability to capture the movement and vibrancy of Parisian life, despite some criticism about the abstracted and blurred depiction of figures, which one critic described as "black tongue-lickings."

Historical Context

The painting is part of a broader movement by Monet and other artists who were rejected by the conservative Académie des Beaux-Arts. In response, they formed the Société anonyme des artistes peintres, sculpteurs et graveurs and held their own exhibitions, marking the beginning of the Impressionist movement.

Versions

There are two versions of Boulevard des Capucines. one at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the other at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. The exact order of their execution and which one was exhibited in 1874 remains a subject of scholarly debate.

Details and Setting

The painting depicts a winter scene on one of Paris's "Grand Boulevards," showing the hustle and bustle of the street, including trees, carriages, and pedestrians. The boulevard itself was part of Napoleon III's urban renewal project, designed by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann.