Sur la route de Nice c. 1844

Editor: This is Paul Huet’s “Sur la route de Nice,” painted around 1844. It’s an oil painting. What strikes me most is the dreamy light—everything feels softened, bathed in this almost ethereal glow. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, first, that light you mentioned – it's truly captivating, isn't it? Makes you want to jump right into that landscape. What grabs me is Huet’s ability to capture a specific moment, a fleeting experience of being on that road to Nice. Think of it: a journey, a destination, but also the pure sensation of light and air. It’s as much about feeling as it is about seeing. Does that resonate with you at all? Editor: Absolutely. It’s more than just a picture-postcard view. There's something really intimate about it. I get a sense of actually being there, traveling. Curator: Exactly! And consider the era—this is the rise of Romanticism, remember. Artists weren't just depicting reality; they were exploring their emotions, their connection to nature. Huet’s use of color and light reflects that internal world. The road becomes not just a physical space but a pathway to something deeper. Are you familiar with plein-air painting? Editor: Yes, the practice of painting outdoors and trying to catch a feeling of being on location! It's pretty clear he painted a lot of this *en plein air*. Curator: Absolutely. And I wonder if that focus contributes to the intimacy of the painting you describe. Also, that cityscape in the background– Nice is really distant. As though he doesn't want you to think that your ultimate *goal* is the end of your trip, but this present feeling instead. What a wonderful experience. Editor: I never considered that. This trip through someone's feeling really helps one's ability to relate. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Perhaps it’s about making art from within, expressing ourselves by expressing what we truly observe. That is truly unique.