Straatgezicht te Chambéry before 1905

This is a street scene made by Charles Puttemans, probably in ink or charcoal. It captures a quiet, narrow street in Chambéry, France. I can imagine Puttemans standing there, squinting, trying to capture the light as it filters down between the buildings. Look at the tones he’s created! It’s all about the subtle shifts in light and dark, creating a hazy, dreamlike effect. The buildings lean in, almost like they’re whispering secrets, and those figures in the distance—are they locals going about their day, or ghosts of the past? It makes you think about the everyday scenes that have been painted throughout time, each one a new way of seeing the world. You know, art isn’t just about capturing what’s there, it’s about adding something of yourself, too. It’s like Puttemans is inviting us to step into his shoes, to see the world as he sees it.