After the rain Fedor Vasiliev (1850-1873)

The canvas presents a cityscape following a rainfall, rendered in a loose, impressionistic style. Here we observe a street scene dominated by muted tones – grays, blues, and ochres – that evoke a sense of dampness and subdued light. The perspective is slightly elevated, allowing for a broad view of the urban environment.
The composition is structured around diagonal lines created by the receding buildings and the wet pavement reflecting the sky. These diagonals contribute to a feeling of movement and depth within the scene. Buildings line both sides of the street, their facades appearing somewhat indistinct due to the application of paint; details are suggested rather than precisely defined. The roofs exhibit varying textures and colors, adding visual interest to the upper portion of the painting.
A central figure, a man in dark clothing, strides purposefully across the wet pavement towards the viewer. His posture suggests haste or determination. To his right, a horse-drawn carriage navigates the street, its wheels kicking up sprays of water that are captured by the reflective surface. Several other figures populate the background, their forms blurred and indistinct, contributing to the overall atmosphere of transient activity.
The sky is overcast, with patches of lighter blue peeking through the clouds, hinting at a possible clearing. The light itself seems diffused, lacking sharp contrasts or strong shadows. This contributes to the paintings melancholic mood.
Subtly, the work conveys a sense of urban solitude and quietude following a storm. While there is activity – the man walking, the carriage passing – there’s also an underlying feeling of isolation. The indistinctness of the background figures suggests anonymity within the city; they are present but detached. The wet pavement acts as a mirror, reflecting not only the sky but perhaps also the emotional state of the scene – a transient moment of reflection and renewal after a period of intensity. The artist’s choice to focus on this specific moment – the aftermath – implies an interest in capturing the subtle nuances of urban life beyond the grand narratives of progress or prosperity.