Paris Boulevard in the Rain 1893

This atmospheric watercolor, *Paris Boulevard in the Rain*, was painted by Maurice Prendergast. Notice how the washes of color bleed together, creating a sense of movement and transience. The watery medium perfectly captures the glistening streets and blurred figures of a rainy Parisian day. Watercolors are often seen as quick, spontaneous, immediate - a perfect medium for *en plein air* painting. But don't mistake that association for the belief that they're easy to use! Look closely and you'll see the artist’s mastery in how he layers the washes, controlling the flow of the pigment to create depth and texture. The blurred forms and muted palette evoke a sense of urban life in transition. The composition implies the presence of people from the upper classes, those who could afford to travel, and spend time at leisure. This painting challenges our expectations of what "high art" is, demonstrating the expressive power of a seemingly simple medium.