Paris.Boulevard des Capucines. 1911

Konstantin Korovin painted this view of the Boulevard des Capucines, likely in oil paint, with a lively, immediate touch. It's all about the energy of the moment, the process visible in every stroke. The paint is applied with a kind of chunky tenderness. Look at how he suggests the glow of the streetlights with thick dabs of yellow and white. The buildings aren’t really buildings, but rather textured blocks of greys and browns. And then there’s that incredible swarm of marks suggesting a crowd – each one a tiny gesture, a little explosion of color. It's not precise, but it’s full of feeling! That one little daub of red halfway up the canvas, among the dark tree foliage - is that a sign, a poster, or just a way to move the eye? It reminds me of some of Vuillard's street scenes, where the ordinary becomes magical through paint. Ultimately, it’s not about what’s depicted, but how Korovin makes us feel the pulse of Parisian life.