Rainy day, Madison square, New York Paul Cornoyer (1864-1923)

The canvas presents a scene steeped in atmospheric melancholy. Here we observe a public space – likely a square or park – characterized by pervasive rain and a muted palette dominated by browns, ochres, and grays. The ground is saturated with water, reflecting the surrounding architecture and trees, creating an almost mirror-like effect that blurs the distinction between earth and sky.
The composition is structured around several prominent elements. Tall, bare trees punctuate the scene, their branches reaching upwards like skeletal fingers against a hazy backdrop. Behind them rise substantial buildings, rendered with a degree of abstraction that prioritizes overall form over precise detail. These structures suggest an urban environment, likely one experiencing rapid growth and development. A lamppost stands prominently on the right side, its light diffused by the rain, offering a small beacon in the pervasive gloom.
Figures populate the space, though they are largely indistinct – small shapes navigating the wet ground. Their presence suggests activity and life within this damp environment, yet their anonymity contributes to a sense of detachment and isolation. The artist has employed an impressionistic technique; brushstrokes are visible and loose, contributing to the overall feeling of transience and atmospheric effect.
The subtexts embedded in this work revolve around themes of urban alienation and the passage of time. The rain itself functions as a symbolic element – a visual representation of sadness or introspection. The bare trees suggest dormancy and the cyclical nature of life. The indistinct figures hint at the anonymity often experienced within large cities, where individuals can feel lost amidst the crowd. There is an underlying sense of quiet contemplation; a moment captured not of grand events but of everyday existence under less-than-ideal conditions. The painting evokes a feeling of stillness, as if time itself has slowed down in this rainy urban landscape.