Paris. - Avenue de l'Opera prise du Grand Hotel du Louvre 1912

This hand-colored photograph shows the Avenue de l'Opéra taken from the Grand Hotel du Louvre, but looking at it now, I'm struck by how the colours have been delicately applied, with a sense of air and light. I can imagine Léon & Lévy standing at their easel, carefully layering the pigments to bring this scene to life. There’s something really special about the soft pinks and blues in the sky, which almost makes the Opera house glow like it was on fire. And those warm, muted browns used for the buildings feel so grounded. Looking at it, I start thinking about other artists who’ve captured the essence of Paris, like Monet or Pissarro, each with their own distinctive brushstrokes and ways of seeing. I wonder what Léon & Lévy were thinking when they made this? Were they trying to capture a specific feeling, or just the beauty of the city itself? It's a reminder that artists are always in conversation with one another, drawing inspiration from the world around them, but also from the works of those who came before. And through their art, they invite us to see the world in new and exciting ways.