Vieilles maisons 1850 - 1900

Félix Ziem's oil on wood panel, "Vieilles maisons," presents a narrow street flanked by aged buildings. The painting emphasizes verticality, drawing the eye upwards along the buildings' façades towards a sliver of sky. Ziem employs a limited palette, dominated by earthy browns and muted greys, which evokes a melancholic mood. Light plays a crucial role, casting deep shadows that contrast with the brighter areas, suggesting a fleeting moment in time. The brushstrokes are loose and gestural. The painting's structure invites a semiotic reading. The buildings, as signs, speak of history and decay. The narrow street can be interpreted as a passage through time. This urban snapshot challenges the idealized landscapes common in earlier art, engaging with the urban experience and the effects of time on architecture. The emphasis on verticality and the play of light and shadow invite viewers to contemplate the transient nature of the urban landscape and the intersection of history and everyday life.