After the Rain

A nostalgic mid-century street scene painting that captures a moment of hushed movement after rainfall, executed in oil onto canvas.

The composition captures figures walking along a wet, reflective roadway beneath a pale, cloud-laden sky. A modest row of houses recedes into the distance, while bare winter trees punctuate the composition, their slender trunks guiding the eye along the street’s gentle perspective. The pedestrians are rendered with understated anonymity, suggesting everyday life unfolding quietly rather than a specific narrative.

Stylistically, the painting balances realism with painterly abstraction. Forms are simplified and slightly softened, favouring mood and atmosphere over fine detail. The colour palette is restrained and harmonious: cool greys, muted blues, and soft whites dominate the sky and pavement, contrasted by earthy browns, mossy greens, and deep charcoals in the buildings and figures.

The brushwork is loose yet controlled. Broad, horizontal strokes suggest the sheen of rain on the street, while lighter, scumbled layers in the sky create a sense of drifting cloud and damp air. Figures are defined with economical marks, giving them a quiet solidity without overstatement. Overall, the painting conveys calm introspection, capturing the poetic stillness of a street moment suspended between weather and movement.

This oil on canvas is housed in a well-suited wide-profile wood frame that complements the painting’s mid-century character. The artwork itself is in excellent vintage condition. The frame shows age-commensurate wear, including a few marks to its edges as shown, however this does not detract from its overall presentation. 

Size: 51.5 x 55 cm (including frame)