The Evening Before the Rain

The Evening Before the Rain by Maxime Maufra

Description: The Evening Before the Rain (Le Soir Avant la Pluie) by Maxime Maufra is a moody and evocative depiction of a landscape on the verge of a rainstorm. Painted in the late 19th or early 20th century, this work captures the tension and calm that precedes a downpour, with the sky darkening and the landscape enveloped in a quiet, almost expectant stillness. Maufra’s use of bold brushstrokes and rich, earthy tones emphasizes the drama of the approaching weather, while the scene itself—a rural expanse with distant trees and fields—reflects his deep affinity for the natural world.

Maxime Maufra, born in Nantes, France, in 1861, was a painter and printmaker who became associated with the Post-Impressionist movement. Although initially influenced by the Impressionists, particularly in his use of color and light, Maufra developed a more personal style that often conveyed the raw, untamed aspects of nature. He was mentored by artists such as Charles Le Roux and took inspiration from the landscapes of Brittany, where he spent much of his life. Maufra’s work often reflects a fascination with the changing moods of the environment, and The Evening Before the Rain is a prime example of his ability to capture the transient beauty of nature.

Details:

• Location and Date Created: France; late 19th or early 20th century.
• Medium: Oil on canvas.
• Full Artwork Name: The Evening Before the Rain (Le Soir Avant la Pluie).
• Artwork Style: Post-Impressionism.
• Subject/Topic: A landscape anticipating an approaching rainstorm, capturing the natural tension and atmosphere of the moment.