The Avenue in the Rain 1917 By Childe Hassam

The Avenue in the Rain (1917) is widely regarded as one of the most iconic patriotic paintings in American art. Painted by Frederick Childe Hassam, it depicts Fifth Avenue in New York City draped with American flags, their colors dissolving into rain, reflection, and light at a defining moment in U.S. history.

Who Was Frederick Childe Hassam?

Frederick Childe Hassam was a leading figure of American Impressionism, active from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Alongside artists such as Mary Cassatt and John Henry Twachtman, Hassam helped modernize American painting through his innovative use of color, light, and contemporary urban subjects.

He is best known for:

• Atmospheric cityscapes, particularly New York streets
• Luminous coastal, garden, and landscape scenes
• A celebrated series of flag paintings created during World War I

Over a prolific career, Hassam produced more than 3,000 paintings, making him one of the most influential American artists of his era.

What Does The Avenue in the Rain Represent?

The Avenue in the Rain represents American unity and patriotic optimism during a moment of national unease.

Key symbolic elements include:

• American flags suspended above Fifth Avenue, symbolizing unity and patriotism
• Blurred figures with umbrellas, suggesting daily life continuing amid historic change
• Reflections and rainfall, amplifying movement, emotion, and atmosphere

The flags appear to float from unseen supports, creating a sense of collective optimism during a period when many Americans believed the war would be brief and decisive.

What is the Historical Context of Hassam's Avenue in the Rain?

Hassam completed the painting just weeks before the United States formally entered World War I:

• Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in January 1917
• The Zimmermann Telegram intensified public concern
• American public opinion shifted rapidly toward intervention
• On April 6, 1917, the U.S. officially entered the war

Hassam’s painting reflects the emotional atmosphere of early 1917: hopeful, unified, and uncertain.

What Inspired Childe Hassam?

Hassam was deeply influenced by French Impressionism, particularly the work of Monet, whose loose brushwork, shifting light, and depictions of national celebration directly influenced Hassam’s approach.

Monet’s Parisian street scenes, such as Rue Montorgueil and Rue Saint-Denis (1878), feature French tricolor flags fluttering above festive crowds. Hassam adapted this visual language to an American context, transferring the theme of national pride to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.

Where Is The Avenue in the Rain Located Today?

Today, The Avenue in the Rain hangs in the White House Oval Office, where it remains one of the most recognized artworks in the presidential collection.

• Gifted to the White House in 1963 by financier Thomas Mellon Evans
• Initially displayed in John F. Kennedy’s private quarters
• Later admired by presidents including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden

Despite its commanding presence, the painting is modest in scale at 42 x 22.25 inches (106.7 x 56.5 cm).  It is well-suited to the intimate interior of the Oval Office.

Childe Hassam’s Flag Paintings

The Avenue in the Rain belongs to a broader group of paintings celebrating national unity, known as Hassam’s Flag Paintings. Several remain associated with the White House and major art collections, including:

• Avenue of the Allies
• Flags on Fifty-Seventh Street
• Allies Day
• 14 July, Rue Daunou
• Flags on the Waldorf, 1916

Together, Hassam's art celebrates freedom, unity, and national identity through Impressionist color and movement rather than overt political imagery.

Museum-Quality Oil Painting Reproductions

Childe Hassam’s flag paintings, including The Avenue in the Rain, are featured in our curated collection of museum-quality oil painting reproductions. Each piece is meticulously hand-painted to reflect the original composition, brushwork, and luminous atmosphere that define Hassam’s patriotic masterpieces.

Since 1996, our hand painted art reproductions have allowed collectors and art lovers to experience one of America’s most meaningful paintings with confidence. Every replica painting is historically informed, expertly crafted, and created to meet museum-quality standards, bringing enduring American art into your home.