Rainy night Frederick Simpson Coburn (1871-1960)

The canvas presents a nocturnal urban scene, dominated by a pervasive sense of dampness and subdued illumination. Here we see a street lined with tall buildings, their facades rendered in warm, amber tones that suggest artificial light reflecting off wet surfaces. The perspective is slightly elevated, allowing for a broad view of the cityscape extending into the distance.
The foreground is characterized by a slick, reflective road surface, mirroring the lights above and creating an impression of depth. A vintage automobile occupies the left side of the frame, its form blurred by the rain and partially obscured by shadow. Further down the street, a solitary figure with an umbrella walks away from the viewer, adding a touch of human presence to the otherwise impersonal urban landscape.
The artist employed a loose, impressionistic brushstroke throughout the composition. This technique contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere – the blurring of details and the blending of colors evoke the visual distortion caused by rain and darkness. The color palette is largely restricted to yellows, oranges, browns, and blacks, with subtle gradations creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
Beyond the immediate depiction of a rainy night, the painting seems to explore themes of isolation and modernity. The lone figure suggests a feeling of anonymity within the vastness of the city. The architecture, while impressive in scale, appears somewhat impersonal and detached. The subdued lighting and pervasive rain contribute to a melancholic mood, hinting at a sense of quiet contemplation or perhaps even loneliness amidst the urban bustle.
The composition’s emphasis on light reflecting off wet surfaces also suggests an interest in the interplay between natural and artificial illumination, a common preoccupation within modern art as cities increasingly became defined by their manufactured environments. The painting doesnt offer a celebratory view of urban life; instead, it presents a more nuanced and introspective portrayal of a city at night.