Caroline C. Burnett (1877-1950), After - L'avenue

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Caroline C. Burnett, depicting a busy commercial avenue on a damp, misty day, where pedestrians move among large buildings, shop windows, and urban reflections. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high quality of painting it conveys.

• Framed dimensions: 69.5 x 81 x 6 cm.
• Unframed dimensions: 50 x 61 cm.
• Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist in the lower right corner of the work, Burnett.
• The piece is in good condition.
• The work is sold with a precious frame (included in the auction as a gift).

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the photographs included form an integral part of the lot description. Digital representation in the mockup is indicative; there may be differences with the actual item in color, scale, and details.

The painting will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert (https://www.instagram.com/ivex.online/), using high-quality materials to guarantee protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packing and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos, GLS, or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents a wide urban street flanked by large commercial buildings, shop windows, and numerous pedestrians advancing under a gray, slightly misty atmosphere. The perspective guides the gaze toward the city center, where the architecture becomes increasingly hazy until it disappears in the distance. The wet pavement reflects part of the sky light and the colors of the façades, while the figures add movement and vitality. The scene conveys the daily rhythm of a large city on a cool day, possibly after rain.

The street is the main axis of the composition and opens from the foreground, narrowing progressively toward the background. The lines of the pavement, façades, and street lamps converge toward a central point, creating a remarkable sense of depth. The viewer seems to stand in the middle of the avenue, ready to advance among the pedestrians. This perspective turns the urban space into a long corridor full of activity.

The ground occupies a significant portion of the lower area and appears traversed by gray, blueish, brown, pink, and white tones. Some light areas can be interpreted as reflections of light on the wet pavement. The color stains are distributed irregularly and suggest small pools of water, footprints, and shadows. The dampness gives the street a special luminosity and softens the harshness of the architectural environment.

The pedestrians are distributed at different distances and advance in various directions. Some walk toward the background, others approach the foreground, and several seem to stop near the shops. Their silhouettes are small, but each has a particular color combination. The greens, blues, whites, yellows, reds, and browns of their clothing animate the scene and create a human rhythm within the urban landscape.

On the left side several figures appear close to the observer. A person dressed in greens and reddish tones advances beside the shop windows, while other figures cluster a little ahead. Some wear light garments and others appear wrapped in dark colors, as if protecting themselves from the damp weather. The variety of postures suggests conversations, strolls, and everyday movements.

Toward the center of the street lies a larger group of pedestrians. Their sizes decrease as they move away and end up becoming small color notes among the mist. This effect reinforces depth and allows us to imagine that the avenue continues far beyond what is visible. The constant presence of people conveys activity without creating a sense of crowding.

On the right side several figures near the shop windows stand out. Two people seem to walk together, dressed in greens, pinks, and whites, while another yellow figure moves toward the end of the composition. Their warm colors contrast with the dark façade and bring brightness. This small group introduces a sense of companionship and enlivens the darker area.

The buildings on the right occupy a large portion of the image and have an imposing presence. Their façades rise with broad walls in grays, browns, and bluish tones, pierced by numerous windows. At the top, roofs, chimneys, and small structures are visible, outlining their silhouette against the sky. The repetition of windows creates a regular rhythm that underscores the monumental scale of the architecture.

The nearest corner of the right building forms a large vertical mass that dominates the street. Its walls combine light tones in the central part with dark areas at the edge. Some windows appear to capture orange reflections, as if lit from within. This façade acts as a powerful visual boundary and contrasts with the luminous openness of the background.

On the ground floor there are large shop windows protected by awnings. The inclined coverings show ochre, yellow, reddish, and brown tones, enriched by small light reflections. Under them one can glimpse objects, shelves, and displayed merchandise. The dark glass reflects part of the street and increases the sense of depth.

Near these shops is a small vertical structure, possibly a kiosk or column intended for posters and notices. Its narrow shape rises on a decorated base and seems covered with papers of different colors. This element adds a characteristic detail of urban life and marks the transition between shop windows and the street. It also serves as a reference point for pedestrians.

On the left side other large commercial buildings rise. Their light façades are lined with numerous small windows and curved coverings on the ground floor. The shop windows extend along the sidewalk and appear full of reflections, figures, and objects. The symmetrical arrangement of both sides transforms the avenue into a wide, monumental space.

The upper floors of these buildings display pinkish, beige, gray, and greenish tones. Some windows are dark, while others show small warm reflections. This variety prevents the façades from appearing uniform and allows us to imagine the activity inside. The constructions seem to house shops, offices, or homes located above commercial premises.

In the distance a large dome rises above the roofs. Its rounded, clear shape is enveloped by the mist, acquiring a nearly ghostly presence. Although partially hidden, it becomes an important reference point and directs the gaze toward the center of the composition. Its silhouette adds elegance and depth to the urban landscape.

Along the street there is a succession of tall, slender lampposts. Their dark poles rise vertically and diminish in size toward the background. Some seem lit or reflect a small glow, even though the scene takes place during the day. The repetition of these lampposts reinforces the perspective and accompanies the movement of pedestrians.

The sky is covered by a broad combination of grays, blues, and whites. No clouds are clearly delineated, but a uniform, damp atmosphere envelops the architecture. Light increases toward the center, right above the street, creating a luminous opening. This glow visually guides the viewer and brings hope within a scene dominated by cool tones.

Light distributes softly and does not create harsh shadows. The buildings, people, and pavement appear to receive the same diffused illumination, typical of a cloudy morning. This uniformity allows us to appreciate the numerous chromatic nuances and creates a slightly nostalgic atmosphere. The city looks alive, yet also wrapped in a particular calm.

The work captures a daily moment without the need to present an extraordinary event. People stroll, head to shops, or return home, while the city continues its usual rhythm. The scene invites us to imagine the murmur of conversations, the sound of steps on the wet ground, and the discreet activity of the shops. All contribute to building a close and recognizable urban experience.

The combination of monumental architecture and small human figures creates an interesting contrast of scale. The buildings seem permanent and solid, while the pedestrians represent the passing movement of everyday life. The street functions as the space where both worlds meet. Each figure contributes a possible story, though none is fully revealed.

The predominance of cool tones conveys humidity, elegance, and serenity, while the small warm details bring vitality. The ochres of the awnings, the yellows of some garments, and the pink reflections on the pavement break the gray uniformity. This chromatic harmony prevents the cloudy day from feeling sad. On the contrary, the city appears inviting and filled with a quiet beauty.

Overall, the work depicts an animated commercial avenue after rain, traversed by numerous pedestrians and surrounded by tall buildings, shop windows, awnings, and lampposts. The distant dome emerging from the background, the wet pavement, and the misty atmosphere create an urban scene full of depth, elegance, and nostalgia. The painting turns a routine city stroll into an evocative image of movement, architecture, and shared life.