Rue Nôtre-Dame, Paris 1866

Johan Barthold Jongkind painted Rue Nôtre-Dame, Paris, with oils on canvas sometime in the mid-19th century. Jongkind belonged to a generation of artists who were expanding the range of subjects deemed suitable for painting. Here we see a seemingly unremarkable street scene, yet this image provides a window onto the social and cultural landscape of Paris at that time. Notice how Jongkind captures the light and atmosphere of the city, suggesting the transient nature of modern urban life. The wide, empty street and relatively new buildings evoke the rapid transformations that Paris was undergoing during the Second Empire. These changes were driven by industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of a new middle class. By focusing on the everyday reality of the city, Jongkind challenges the traditional hierarchy of art, which favored historical or mythological scenes. To fully appreciate such works, the art historian can turn to sources such as newspapers, city plans, and social surveys. The meaning of art lies in its connection to the world around it.