Après La Pluie (1885)

About This Work

Après La Pluie captures a fleeting moment in Paris just after rainfall, where the city's surfaces glisten with reflected light. Armand Guillaumin, though less celebrated than his Impressionist contemporaries, demonstrates remarkable skill in rendering atmospheric conditions. The painting's loose brushwork and vibrant palette convey both the freshness of the air and the play of light on wet surfaces.

Created in 1885, this work represents Guillaumin's mature style, where he moved beyond strict Impressionist principles toward a more personal interpretation of light and color. The composition likely depicts a view of the Seine or one of Paris's many bridges, though the specific location remains undocumented. Guillaumin's ability to capture the transitory effects of weather places this work among his most accomplished cityscapes.

The Artist's Period

By 1885, Armand Guillaumin had developed a distinctive approach within the Impressionist movement. While his earlier works closely followed Monet's example, this later period shows greater independence in composition and color harmony. Guillaumin's cityscapes from this era often feature dramatic weather conditions, using rain and mist as compositional elements rather than mere background effects.

The 1880s marked Guillaumin's participation in the final Impressionist exhibitions before the group dispersed. During this time, he began experimenting with more saturated colors and bolder brushwork, as seen in Après La Pluie. These innovations would later influence the Fauvist movement, making Guillaumin an important bridge between Impressionism and modernist tendencies.

Artistic Technique

Composition and Perspective

Guillaumin employs a high vantage point that emphasizes the expanse of wet surfaces. The composition uses the river or street as a diagonal element, leading the viewer's eye through the scene. Buildings in the distance are rendered with minimal detail, creating a sense of atmospheric depth.

Color and Brushwork

The palette features cool blues and grays in the foreground, contrasting with warmer tones in the background. Guillaumin's brushwork varies from thin washes for the sky to thicker impasto in the foreground, creating textural contrast. Reflected light is suggested through small highlights rather than detailed rendering.

Print & Frame Details

Interior Design Guide

The cool color palette of Après La Pluie makes it particularly suited to contemporary interiors with neutral walls. The 30×40 cm size works well above consoles or as part of a gallery wall arrangement. Consider placing this print in spaces where natural light changes throughout the day, as the work's atmospheric qualities will shift with varying light conditions. The gold frame accents complement both warm wood tones and cool metal finishes in modern decor schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions