Rainy weather

"Rainy Weather", painted in 1901, is a captivating landscape by Stanislas Lépine, displayed here at the Petit Palais. This piece, measuring 85.5 cm high and 46.5 cm wide, draws us into a scene of a town nestled beside a river on a cloudy day. nn Notice how Lépine uses a subdued palette of cool tones to create a sense of dampness and chill in the air. The sky, filled with blue-grey clouds, dominates the upper half, setting a somber yet serene mood. Below, a row of buildings lines the right side, their facades painted in muted whites, greys, and browns, reflecting the subdued light of the day. nn A road, a key element in the composition, stretches alongside these buildings, guiding our gaze towards the riverbank. Lépine populates the road with a few figures – a pair of horses pulling a cart, a lone figure walking towards the water, and another in the distance, perhaps contemplating the view. These figures, though indistinct, add a touch of life and narrative to the scene. nn The river itself mirrors the cloudy sky above, painted in similar shades of blue-grey. A few boats, appearing as dark silhouettes, are barely visible through the hazy atmosphere, adding a sense of depth and mystery. The opposite bank, a gentle slope rendered in muted greens and browns, completes the composition, offering a sense of tranquility. nn Lépine's brushstrokes are loose and impressionistic, particularly in the depiction of the sky and the river. This technique enhances the atmospheric quality of the artwork, allowing us to almost feel the damp air and hear the quiet murmur of the town on this "Rainy Weather" day.