Alfred S. Mira was born in 1900 in Italy to a carpenter father, he left school and began working for an interior decorator, dreaming of going to art school. He did make a career out of painting though; he listed his address as East 8th Street and his occupation as painter in the 1940 census. And he sold his work at the Washington Square outdoor art exhibit, a heralded event decades ago. Though he painted scenes from all over the city, Mira focused his work on the sites and monuments of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park, MacDougal Street and Seventh Avenue South. His inspiration seems to come from the urban realists who made a name for themselves in the early 1900s, such as George Bellows and George Luks. He died in 1981 and his work still inspires new generations of artists.

This is a sensational depiction of Washington Square Park on a rainy day from the turn of the century by Mira. The way the artist composes this scene pulls in the viewer with his use of light and shadow. The road is slick with rain as reflections of the buildings are picked up effortlessly on the ground. Figures are coming and going as we can feel as though we are taken back in time with this timeless piece. A wonderful display of Mira's characteristic style as honest, sometimes gritty, sometimes dreamy, and deeply atmospheric pieces. As a true street artist who captured the moods of the city, Mira has embraced the times of the early 20th century leaving us with mesmerizing landscapes of New York City. Signed lower right and displayed in a wonderful gold tone gilt frame.