Avenue in the Rain by Frederick Childe Hassam Cushion

Avenue in the Rain (1917) by Childe Hassam is a vintage impressionism fine art patriotic cityscape painting. The weather is raining with crowds of people marching holding umbrellas during the day. Fifth Avenue in New York City decorated with flags during a parade to support the allies. Hassam was inspired by a "Preparedness Parade" (for the American involvement in World War I) held on 5th Avenue in New York (renamed the “Avenue of the Allies’’ during the Liberty Loan Drives of 1918). Thousands participated in these parades which often lasted for over twelve hours. In the foreground the flags of the Allied nations hang neatly in a row. The flags represent the harmony of three nations joined in a single cause; “the Fight for democracy.” This painting was hanging in the Oval Office in the White House while Barack Obama was President of the United States. About the artist: Frederick Childe Hassam (1859-1935) was a prominent and prolific American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes. Hassam was instrumental in promulgating Impressionism to American collectors, dealers, and the museums.