Les Grands Boulevards 

Antoine Blanchard painted ‘Les Grands Boulevards’ with oil on canvas, using techniques reminiscent of Impressionism, though with a focus on urban narrative. The materiality of oil paint allows for a rich depiction of Paris. Blanchard captures the atmosphere of a bustling street scene through varied brushwork, from the smooth rendering of distant buildings to the textured surfaces of the rain-slicked boulevards. Note the way he plays with light and reflection, a hallmark of plein air painting, which historically demanded an immediacy and portability facilitated by mass-produced paints in tubes. The painting also serves as a snapshot of Parisian society, where the grand architecture frames everyday life: horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians dressed in early 20th-century fashion. Blanchard's street scenes are infused with nostalgia, and the way he applies paint—in short, quick strokes—creates a sense of movement and energy, evoking the spirit of a city in perpetual motion. By focusing on such scenes, Blanchard blurred the lines between fine art and commercial appeal, engaging with themes of labor, consumption, and the commodification of urban experience.