New Bridge, Paris 

Edouard Cortes painted ‘New Bridge, Paris’ using oil on canvas in the traditional style of French Impressionism. Cortes, born in France to a celebrated painter, was known as the “Painter of Paris.” He captured the city's transformation during La Belle Époque, a period characterized by optimism, peace, and industrial progress. His paintings often depicted Parisian street scenes in various weather conditions. In this artwork the city is reflected in the wet cobblestones. This is a technique that evokes a sense of nostalgia. But it also obscures the faces of the people, making them seem anonymous. Cortes lived through both World Wars, an experience that profoundly marked his perception of a changing world. Perhaps this is why many of Cortes' paintings express the fleeting nature of life. Here, the bridge serves as a metaphor for connection. Yet the blurred figures also evoke a sense of isolation and social stratification amidst urban development. The artwork invites us to reflect on how urban spaces shape our identities and experiences. How might the artist’s personal history influence the nostalgic tone?