Winter evening 

Edouard Cortes created this painting with oil on canvas. He built up layers of paint to render the snowy scene before us. Cortes was a master of capturing light and atmosphere, and here, the thick impasto of the paint mimics the textures of snow and stone. Notice how he contrasts the cool blues and whites of the snow with the warm, inviting glow emanating from the shop windows. It’s as if he is inviting us into the scene, away from the cold. This painting’s social context speaks of a time of rapid industrialization, yet Cortes returns us to a simple village street scene. He skillfully evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. Although painted with traditional methods, Cortes’ technique transcends the divide between craft and fine art. The careful consideration of materials and the artist's hand are of vital importance to fully understanding its meaning.