The Floor Scrapers

Three bare-chested workers on hands and knees plane a hardwood floor in a Parisian apartment — believed to be Caillebotte's own studio. Captured from a slightly elevated viewpoint that tilts the floor dramatically, reflecting fascination with photography and Japanese prints.

Rejected by the 1875 Salon for its 'vulgar' subject matter. Caillebotte instead exhibited it at the second Impressionist exhibition in 1876. One of the first major French paintings focused on the urban working class.

Warm afternoon light flooding through tall windows transforms their muscular backs into a study of golden tones. Now at the Musée d'Orsay.