Paris,rue du Havre c. 1882

Jean Béraud’s painting ‘Paris, rue du Havre’ captures a bustling Parisian street scene in the late 19th century with oil on canvas. The Grands Magasins du Printemps, a department store visible in the background, represents the rise of consumer culture in Paris during this era. Note the posters which demonstrate the importance of advertising in this new commercial landscape. The social structures of the time are on display, with the figures in top hats and elegant dresses representing the bourgeois class. The scaffolding suggests a city in constant construction and flux, reflecting the rapid urbanization of Paris during the late 1800s, spurred by industrialization. This painting offers a glimpse into the city’s visual culture and the social dynamics of the time. Art historians use a variety of resources to understand the artwork better, from municipal archives to records from businesses. The meaning of this piece is contingent on this social and institutional context.