End of Summertime - Julius LeBlanc Stewart

A refined genre scene by Julius LeBlanc Stewart, depicting two women in an early motorcar, originally published in 1901.

Julius LeBlanc Stewart, an American painter who spent the majority of his career in Paris, captured the transition of the early twentieth century with precision. This work, originally featured on the cover of the French publication 'Soleil du dimanche' in October 1901, depicts two women seated in an early motorcar. The scene reflects the rapid technological shifts of the era, where the horse-drawn carriage was increasingly replaced by the automobile as a symbol of status and leisure.

The composition focuses on the occupants and their canine companion, positioned against a soft, atmospheric backdrop of the French countryside. Stewart employs a refined technique, balancing the mechanical details of the vehicle with the textures of the women's tailored travel attire. The driver, dressed in a structured rust-coloured coat, grips the tiller, while her passenger adjusts a straw hat against the breeze. The inclusion of the dog, perched alertly on the front bonnet, adds a sense of domesticity to the modern machine.

Stewart was well-regarded for his ability to document the social habits of the wealthy expatriate community in Paris. His work often features high-society figures engaged in outdoor activities, from yachting to motoring. This painting is characteristic of his later period, where he moved away from the more formal portraiture of his early years to embrace the light and movement of the outdoors. The palette remains restrained, relying on muted greens, soft blues, and the warm tones of the leather and fabric to create a cohesive visual narrative. The work serves as a record of a specific moment in social history, capturing the intersection of fashion, technology, and the leisurely pursuit of travel at the dawn of the Edwardian age.