Boulevard des Capucines 

Antoine Blanchard painted this view of the Boulevard des Capucines. The painting emerges from a tradition of depicting Parisian street scenes, yet Blanchard painted his works in the mid-20th century, long after the era he depicted. Blanchard's paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, specifically Paris during the Belle Époque, a time of optimism and cultural flourishing before the First World War. Yet, this seemingly idyllic portrayal papers over the complex social and political realities of the time. The Belle Époque was also marked by stark class disparities, colonial expansion, and the rise of nationalist tensions. Blanchard focuses on the city's elegance and vibrancy, often omitting the struggles faced by many Parisians. What we see is a romanticized, even sanitized, version of Parisian life, which prompts us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are being left out. The painting invites us to reflect on the relationship between memory, representation, and historical truth.