The Australian-born Frank Arthur Nankivell was active primarily as a printmaker, but also worked as a painter and illustrator. He is best remembered today for his efforts as a printer of etchings by Arthur B. Davies and Childe Hassam, and for his involvement with the organization of the Armory Show. About 1910 he shared a studio with Walt Kuhn on 14th Street, off Union Square. Kuhn introduced Nankivell to Davies, and through this connection became a member of the Association of American Painters and Sculptors and served on the Committee on Domestic Exhibits for the Armory Show. The experience inspired Nankivell to adopt a modernist aesthetic.

Italian Parade in Washington Square dates from about 1915 and features a view probably from 63 Washington Square South, where he had a studio about this time. The painting reflects the influence of Davies's decorative approach to Cubism. Following Davies's example, Nankivell breaks up the surface into small planes of contrasting colors, which are tied together by the artist's precisely controlled organization of pictorial rhythms. In later years, Nankivell created animated cartoons, produced the first completely natural-color motion picture, and served as a printer for the Graphic Arts Division of the Federal Art Project. Nankivell and his daughter Edith also created etchings of Washington Square.