A Rainy Night, Madison Square 1890

Charles Frederick William Mielatz created this print, titled "A Rainy Night, Madison Square", using etching. Notice how Mielatz uses a limited tonal range to evoke the atmosphere of a rain-soaked cityscape. Diagonal lines represent the downpour, blurring the forms of buildings and streetlights. The composition directs our gaze from the dark foreground towards the illuminated areas, creating depth. Mielatz manipulates the etching technique to produce varied textures, from the coarse strokes of the rain to the smooth surfaces of the wet pavement. The light reflecting off the ground adds a dynamic interplay between light and shadow, disrupting the clarity of forms, creating a sense of movement and ephemerality. The print captures a modern, urban experience, shaped by weather, technology and industry. The atmospheric effect, achieved through formal choices, invites us to reflect on the transient nature of urban life and the interplay between human structures and natural elements.