honestly hard to describe the experience of this painting. the physicality. the light. it's truly incredible
runner-up: The Starry Night, Van Gogh
I saw this piece when I visited MoMA in New York. I did not know they had it in their collection, so when I turned the corner and came face-to-face with it I legitimately started crying. Like, it's a famous painting for a reason, we all know this. But...
other thoughts
There's definitely music that also qualifies, but I'd have to think a lot more before naming any given piece!
Because it portrays working-class people in a favorable light:
Despite the effort Caillebotte put into the painting, it was rejected by France's most prestigious art exhibition, the Salon, in 1875. The depiction of working-class people in their trade, not fully clothed, shocked the jurors and was deemed a "vulgar subject matter". 1
That makes it an extremely good painting.
the painting was so controversial for daring to depict the holy family as actual working class people in a carpenter's shop that it was panned by people as notable as charles dickens, and was taken to buckingham palace for a private viewing by queen victoria
back then: "working people? why didnt you warn me?"
now: "FINALLY SOME GOOD FUCKING ART!"
