Evening Shower, Paris 1894

Maurice Prendergast captured this oil painting titled ‘Evening Shower, Paris.’ The painting is an image of modern urban life, reflecting the rise of cities and the changing social fabric of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During that era, a new emphasis on leisure and consumer culture emerged, particularly for the middle and upper classes. Prendergast illustrates people enjoying the city's amenities, although they're still shrouded in an evening downpour. At the time, women's roles were also evolving, and depictions of them in public spaces became more common. You can see the depiction of women in this piece as both a reflection and an assertion of their presence in a changing society. The dark colors create an emotional atmosphere of melancholy and introspection. It allows us to reflect on our personal experiences within the public sphere.